Northern Ireland becomes first to eradicate ferrets from inhabited island

Northern Ireland has become the first country in the world to eradicate an invasive ferret population from an inhabited island.

By TPN, in Europe, World, Environment · 25 Jul 2026, 08:31 · 1 Comments

Credits: Twitter; Author: @LoveBallymena;

The achievement on Rathlin Island is expected to benefit more than 250,000 seabirds, which had been threatened by the predators for decades. Conservationists say early monitoring has already shown encouraging signs of improved breeding success.

The LIFE Raft conservation project, launched in 2021, used thermal drones, detection dogs and support from the local community to remove the ferrets from Rathlin Island, off County Antrim. Biosecurity measures have now been introduced to keep the island ferret-free. The project also confirmed the first breeding Manx shearwater on Rathlin in more than two decades, with further wildlife recovery expected.

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Comments

So many vague and misleading statements in such a short article! The vast majority of that quoted figure of Rathlin's breeding seabirds are species that nest on inaccessible cliff ledges and were not threatened by ferrets (or rats). Which conservationists say that there are encouraging signs of improved breeding success? What are these signs? The project used kill traps and cage traps to remove the ferrets - drones and detection dogs sound nicer but they played a minor role in monitoring after the relatively easy job of killing 100 ferrets. Manx Shearwaters were known to be present at nesting sites during the breeding season for several years prior to the removal of the ferrets (and rats), it is misleading to claim the first breeding occurred after this.

By Ian from UK on 28 Jul 2026, 12:41