PORTLAND (AP) - The Animal Liberation Front has claimed responsibility for releasing hundreds of mink from the S&N Fur Farm in Scio.

The activists wrote a communique to The Oregonian newspaper saying they released as many as 150 mink in Thursday's raid.

Ranch owner Ed Sandberg confirmed Monday that 215 mink were set free after someone cut a hole in his fence - but 177 were recovered.

The communique said the action was inspired by releases last month in Jordan, Utah, of 600 mink and 6,000 in Aldergrove, British Columbia.

Last April, the ALF struck the Jefferson Fur Farm in Oregon, releasing 53 mink. All were recovered.

Fur industry officials say captive mink seldom survive in the wild after animal-rights extremists release them.