Orkney's Stoat Problem Worsens: Second Predator Found

A second stoat has been captured on the Orkney island of Rousay, weeks after the first was found. These mammals are not native to Orkney and pose a significant threat to ground-nesting birds and the unique Orkney vole subspecies. The first confirmed stoat on Rousay was trapped on October 9, near the Loch of Loomachun. This capture was part of a larger £15 million project aimed at eradicating stoats from the entire Orkney archipelago.

The second stoat was first spotted on a trail camera near the same loch on Wednesday and was subsequently found in a trap. Conservationists are uncertain how the stoats reached Rousay, but suggest they may have swum across the Eynhallow Sound from mainland Orkney, as they are known to be strong swimmers. The Orkney Native Wildlife Project (ONWP) has reported removing over 9,100 stoats from the islands since 2019.

Conservation efforts rely on a multi-pronged approach, including trail cameras, traps, and dogs trained to detect stoat droppings. The sighting of a second stoat on Rousay is considered a deeply concerning development by project manager Sarah Sankey. The project had previously expressed confidence that the first stoat captured was the only one on the island. Orkney is a crucial habitat for various breeding birds, including curlews and hen harriers, and is the sole home of the Orkney vole.