- author, Louise Cullen
- role, BBC NI Agriculture and Environment Correspondent
-
Woody, a 2-year-old Fox Red Labrador, helps track down the remaining ferrets on the island.
The LIFE Raft project team hopes that by completely removing both invasive species, internationally important bird populations will be protected.
During the first phase of the project, approximately 100 ferrets were captured and humanely destroyed.
“Ridiculous energy levels”
Proponents of the project believe they are on the verge of removing ferrets from the island for the first time in history.
Fieldwork manager Michael Lafferty said everyone on the island was excited to welcome Woody.
“Attempting the world's first eradication was no easy feat, and we knew we needed the best dog for the job to get us across the finish line.
“Woody's ridiculous energy levels, incredible olfactory skills, and goofy smile filled us all up.”
Michael begins his first mission on the island as Woody's handler.
The dog will first be patrolling the island to get used to its new surroundings, before being sent out to see if any remaining ferrets can be found.
They will then be retrained for the second phase of the project, which will focus on brown rats.
Natasha Oolong trained red fox labrador puppies in the UK.
“Woody is a lovable villain, a complete idiot, and lovable.
“He's the perfect detection dog. He's very easy to train and really fun to train because he has a desire to detect and a desire to hunt.”
Islanders are also playing their part in the next phase of rat eradication.
In a final effort to free Rathlin from these invasive species, more than 6,000 feeding stations will be installed across the island in September 2024.
Thousands of people visit the island each year to witness the sight of birds such as puffins nesting on the cliffs.
But last year, only one in three puffin chicks survived their role as predators.
Tourism is vital to the island's economy and Rathlin Area Development Association chairman Michael Cecil said the Life Raft project was therefore important for everyone.
“Protecting wildlife means not only securing the livelihoods of the many people who live here, but also protecting an entire way of life,” he added.
“This project has the potential to secure the future of this historic island.”
“People will be able to raise chickens again.”
Residents like Teresa McCurdy are cleaning out sheds and barns to make sure there's nothing left for rodents to hide.
She is pleased with the progress of the project and the changes it is bringing to life on the island, with one benefit in particular.
“People will be able to keep chickens again and lay their own eggs.”
