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Second Stoat Trapped on Rousay Highlights Ongoing Eradication Challenge
By Drooid · · How we work
New Capture on Rousay
A second stoat was captured on Rousay in Orkney after the island’s first-ever confirmed individual was trapped on October 9 near Loch of Loomachun. The animal was first seen on a trail-camera near the same loch and later found dead in a nearby trap. Conservation teams note that the repeat detection comes only weeks after the initial capture, underscoring the difficulty of fully eliminating the predator from the island.
Threat Posed by Stoats in Orkney
Stoats are not native to the Orkney archipelago. They prey on ground-nesting seabirds and on a unique subspecies of vole that exists nowhere else in the world. Their presence therefore threatens both biodiversity and the ecological distinctiveness of the islands.
£15 Million Eradication Programme
The October 9 capture was part of a £15 million project aimed at eradicating stoats from across Orkney. The programme combines extensive trapping, monitoring via camera traps, and community involvement to protect vulnerable wildlife.
Uncertain Arrival Route
Conservationists cannot confirm how stoats first reached Rousay. They note that stoats are strong swimmers and may have crossed the narrow Eynhallow Sound from mainland Orkney, a plausible but unverified pathway.
Outlook for the Project
The second capture demonstrates that stoats can persist despite intensive control measures. Ongoing monitoring will be required to determine whether additional individuals appear and to assess the overall progress of the eradication effort. The project’s success remains contingent on preventing further incursions and maintaining sustained trapping operations.