Progress on Rathlin’s rat-free project “encouraging” as eradication work continues

Representatives of the Rathlin Life Raft Project say efforts to make Rathlin Island rat-free are “progressing well.”

The Rathlin Life Raft Project, a two-part RSPB-led initiative, aims to eradicate domestic ferrets and brown rats from the island.

At April’s meeting of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, eradication delivery manager Michael Rafferty told members he was optimistic that ferrets had been completely removed.

At September’s Environmental Services Committee, councillors were presented with correspondence from the RSPB NI area manager, thanking the council for its continued support and confirming a projected project end date of 31 December 2026.

The letter noted:

“However, following a rat sighting in June, we have taken the decision to carry out a second year of baiting to ensure that we have done everything possible to achieve rat-free status on Rathlin Island.

Encouragingly, there has not been a confirmed ferret sighting since October 2023, so, all being well, we will be able to declare ferret-free status in October 2025 – two breeding seasons after the last sighting.”

As part of ongoing biosecurity measures, the council was asked to provide one skip per month for the next six months, and one per quarter thereafter.

The area manager explained:

“The provision of skips has been instrumental to the success of the project. Removing waste that can act as harbourage for rats is a critical part of both the eradication and long-term biosecurity strategy.

“The Life Raft team, alongside residents, have already removed a significant volume of waste, but the need is ongoing.

“As we enter a second winter of baiting, continuing to remove potential harbourage remains essential—not only to maximise the chance of success, but also to maintain best-practice biosecurity.”

Director of Environmental Services, Aidan McPeake, confirmed the council had been supplying skips to date and sought approval to continue.

DUP Councillor Steven Callaghan described the Rathlin Life Raft as a “great project” that had “done a great job with the ferrets.”

He added:

“I propose that we would continue to provide skips, so they can get that job done and dusted.”