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Lone male stoat captured on Orkney island after seven-month hunt
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A lone invasive male stoat has been successfully captured on the Orkney island of Rousay following a seven-month hunt by the Orkney Native Wildlife Project (ONWP). The animal was first spotted in May, prompting a response involving targeted trapping, dog searches, and AI-assisted trail cameras. Trappers and DNA analysis indicate there are no signs of breeding females or an established population on the island, though monitoring will continue for two years.
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- A lone male stoat was caught on the Orkney island of Rousay after a seven-month hunt.
- The invasive animal was first spotted in May and removed on Friday by the Orkney Native Wildlife Project (ONWP).
- The capture operation utilised targeted trapping, dog searches, AI-assisted trail cameras, and community volunteers.
- Examiners confirmed the stoat was male, matching previous DNA analysis, with no signs of breeding females or an established population on Rousay.
- Monitoring of the island will continue for two years before it can be officially declared stoat-free.