The achievement on Rathlin Island is expected to benefit more than 250,000 seabirds, which had been threatened by the predators for decades. Conservationists say early monitoring has already shown encouraging signs of improved breeding success.

The LIFE Raft conservation project, launched in 2021, used thermal drones, detection dogs and support from the local community to remove the ferrets from Rathlin Island, off County Antrim. Biosecurity measures have now been introduced to keep the island ferret-free. The project also confirmed the first breeding Manx shearwater on Rathlin in more than two decades, with further wildlife recovery expected.