Background The European mink (Mustela lutreola) is listed in Annexes II and IV of the Habitats Directive as a priority species for conservation. During the last 15 years, the expansion of American mink (Neovison vison) has been confirmed as the main threat to the conservation of European mink in Spain. Control actions for American mink to date have not stopped its colonisation of new areas, so it is urgent to improve these techniques and protocols. Without the implementation of more effective conservation measures, European mink it is very likely to become extinct in a short period of time in Spain. Objectives The goal of the LIFE LUTREOLA SPAIN project is to improve the conservation status of European mink in Spain. To achieve this, the project will: Adapt and combine different techniques (e.g. mink rafts, camera traps, live-trapping) to improve detection and capture efficiency of both European mink and American mink; Eradicate American mink established within the range of the European mink and in identified risk areas in the Ebro valley and Mediterranean basins; Create a monitoring network for the early detection of American mink in the areas where they have the potential for invasion into European mink territories; Restore the population of European mink in the areas with major fragmentation, by means of population reinforcement following the eradication of American mink; Increase the distribution area of European mink by creating a new population, by the release of captive-born individuals from an existing breeding programme; Create a monitoring network of European mink populations to assess the species’ conservation status; Improve the habitat conditions of European mink in the Ebro river in the province of Álava; Assess the threat posed by road infrastructure for the European mink in Álava; and Increase public awareness regarding the conservation of European mink. Expected results: Creation of an eradication protocol for American mink; Staff trained to implement American mink eradication protocols and to monitor both species of mink; Implementation of American mink and European mink monitoring networks; Elimination of American mink populations within the range of European mink in the Cantabrian basin (Basque Country) and in the Ebro basin (province of Álava and the autonomous community of La Rioja); Elimination of isolated populations of American mink in risk areas for the European mink; Restoration of European mink populations in the Ebro basin and Cantabrian basin (provinces of Bizkaia and Gipuzkoa); Establishment of a new European mink population in the autonomous community of Aragon; Development of a protocol for early detection of American mink; Risk assessment completed for American mink farms situated within the range of European mink; Genetic analyses conducted for two captive populations of European mink; Experimental breeding between individuals from the two captive populations of European mink; European mink habitat restoration in the province of Álava in public land acquired with project funds; and Assessment of the impact of road infrastructure on the European mink in the province of Álava.