EDEN VALLEY --  Thousands of mink are on the loose near Eden Valley.

Stearns County Sheriff Don Gudmonson says sometime between 10:30 p.m. Sunday and 5:30 a.m. Monday a person or group of people burglarized the Lang Farms LLC in Eden Lake, just northwest of Eden Valley. The Lang Farms raise mink for pelts.

Gudmonson says once the vandals were on the property they took apart sections of the exterior fence that surrounds the barns and released all the mink from their cages.

Authorities say around 30,000 - 40,000 mink were released, all of which are domesticated and will likely not survive in the wild.

The total loss is over $750,000. Gudmonson says if you see any mink in the area don't approach them because they might bite. Instead, Lang Farms says to call them at 320-453-4750 so the mink can be recaptured by professionals.

Anyone with information on the incident is urged to call the Stearns County Sheriff's Office. A reward of up to $1,000 is being offered for information leading to an arrest and conviction.

More From AM 1240 WJON