"The invasive, non-native ferrets were believed to have been let loose on to the picturesque island off the Antrim coast in the 1980s in a bid to reduce its wild rabbit population."
"The ferret population grew to more than 100, predating Irish hares as well as eviscerating islanders' chickens."
"Invasive predators are one of the biggest threats to biodiversity around the world and their removal from small islands has been repeatedly shown to boost rare and declining species, particularly seabird colonies."
Rathlin Island is now free of feral ferrets, marking a significant achievement for Northern Ireland's seabird colony. A five-year partnership involving RSPB NI, local islanders, and volunteers led to the removal of these invasive predators. Originally introduced in the 1980s to control rabbits, ferrets bred and threatened local bird species. The Life Raft project utilized technology and trained personnel to monitor and humanely eliminate the ferrets. This successful removal is expected to positively impact the island's endangered bird populations and overall biodiversity.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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