A significant operation, costing nearly £150,000, has been launched on the remote Orkney island of Rousay in an intensive effort to locate and capture a single, elusive stoat. Despite extensive resources, including hundreds of traps, dozens of cameras, and specially trained dogs, the animal remains at large, highlighting the challenges of managing invasive species in sensitive island ecosystems.
The Rousay Stoat Operation: Scale and Scope
The hunt for the lone stoat began in earnest in May, following its initial confirmed sighting on Rousay in April. The urgency stemmed from the potential threat this invasive predator poses to the island’s unique and vulnerable native wildlife. To counter this, a multi-faceted approach was deployed. This included the strategic placement of 229 traps and 59 motion-activated cameras across the island, designed to detect and capture the animal. Furthermore, detection dogs, trained to identify stoat scent and droppings, have been actively involved in the search efforts.
The financial commitment to this specific operation was revealed through a Freedom of Information request, showing that NatureScot approved an additional £148,790 in June. This funding was sought by the Orkney Native Wildlife Project (ONWP), a collaborative initiative aimed at protecting Orkney’s native species. The funds were allocated to bolster the response, covering costs for additional staff, including a dedicated trapper, specialized vehicles, and essential equipment.
Despite these considerable efforts, the stoat’s most recent confirmed sighting was captured on camera on September 6, indicating its continued evasion of the deployed measures. Residents and visitors on Rousay have been actively encouraged to report any sightings or signs of the stoat to aid the ongoing search.
Why the Urgency? The Threat of Invasive Stoats
Stoats are not native to Orkney and were first discovered in the archipelago in 2010. Their presence is a significant concern for conservationists due to their predatory nature and the potential impact on native species that have not evolved defenses against them. The exact circumstances of their arrival in Orkney remain uncertain, with theories ranging from accidental transport via ferry cargo, such as hay, to deliberate release to control rabbit populations.
The presence of a stoat on Rousay is particularly worrying because of its proximity to the Orkney Mainland. The intervening waters are narrow enough for stoats to potentially swim across, facilitating their spread. If the stoat on Rousay were to establish a breeding population, it could lead to a significant expansion of the invasive species’ range within Orkney.
Impact on Native Wildlife
Rousay is home to a rich diversity of wildlife, including several species that are particularly vulnerable to predation by stoats. Among these are ground-nesting birds such as curlews, lapwings, and oystercatchers, whose eggs and chicks are easy targets. The Orkney vole, a species found nowhere else in the world outside the Orkney Islands, is also at severe risk. This endemic vole is a crucial food source for native birds of prey, including hen harriers and short-eared owls, meaning a decline in vole populations could have cascading effects throughout the food web.
Conservationists fear that an established stoat population on Rousay could decimate these native species, disrupting the delicate ecological balance of the island. The risk extends beyond Rousay, as a breeding population there could serve as a stepping stone for stoats to reach other stoat-free islands within the Orkney archipelago.
The Wider Eradication Programme
The intensive operation on Rousay is part of a much larger, ambitious £16 million project known as the Orkney Native Wildlife Project (ONWP). This comprehensive initiative, a collaboration between RSPB Scotland, NatureScot, and Orkney Islands Council, aims to eradicate stoats from the entire Orkney archipelago. Since its commencement in 2019, the broader programme has been responsible for the removal of over 9,000 stoats.
The strategy behind the wider eradication effort includes reducing the stoat population on the Orkney Mainland and connected southern islands. As the overall number of stoats decreases, the likelihood of them swimming between islands is expected to diminish. The specific, high-cost response on Rousay represents a targeted, short-term measure to prevent a new population from taking hold in a critical, previously uninvaded area.
Challenges and Future Outlook
The ongoing evasion of the single stoat on Rousay underscores the immense difficulty in controlling and eradicating invasive predators, especially in island environments. The success of the wider project hinges on preventing new introductions and containing existing populations. The significant investment in the Rousay operation reflects the high stakes involved in protecting Orkney’s unique natural heritage.
While the immediate goal is to capture the lone stoat, the long-term success of the ONWP is crucial for the survival of species like the Orkney vole and the protection of ground-nesting birds. The project continues to adapt its strategies, employing advanced techniques and community engagement to combat the persistent threat posed by this invasive carnivore.
The spokesperson for ONWP emphasized that the operation on Rousay was designed as a rapid, targeted response to ensure the island was protected effectively. The continued presence of the stoat, however, demonstrates the resilience and adaptability of the species and the ongoing challenges faced by conservation efforts in the region.
