The RCMP are investigating what they believe is a case of sabotage at a Newfoundland mink farm, where as many as 6,000 of the furry creatures escaped from their cages early Saturday.

A motorist alerted police to the high numbers of the animals on a road in Harcourt. The farm is located between that community and George's Brook.

RCMP Const. Trevor O'Keefe said the release was an act of sabotage.

"There's a number of barns at this farm and the minks that were released were at three of the barns and they have hundreds of cages, and in order for these animals to get out somebody had to go in and release the latches on all these cages," O'Keefe said.

The last time a worker was at the farm was 10:30 p.m. on Friday. The animals were let out of their cages sometime after that, according to O'Keefe, who added there was no sign of forced entry to the farm.
 
Police said there is no reason for local people to be worried about the free-roaming animals.

"We've been advised they pose no danger, but now we are advising people that if they happen to see one in the yard, certainly don't go over and try and capture it themselves."