cross-posted from: https://feddit.uk/post/46289321

In a world-first, Rathlin Island, off the coast of County Antrim, has eradicated ferrets.

The non-native predator was introduced to the island in the 1980s and has wreaked havoc on the internationally-significant breeding seabird colony.

More than 400 traps were laid across the island as part of a five-year, £4.5m Life Raft project, which has also targeted rats. But crucial to the fight to save the seabirds was a specially-trained detection dog, called Woody.