Eradicating Orkney's 'invasive' stoat population essential to safeguarding short-eared owls says RSPB

                                                             

The 'killing fields' of Orkney? They certainly are for stoats

THE RSPB now has no fewer than 7,000 stoat traps located across mainland Orkney.

The figure is revealed in a recruitment advertisement for a fieldworker to help bait and empty the lethal traps.

Isn't it somewhat cruel - especially from an organisation which prides itself on nature conservation and whose motto used to be "giving Nature a home"?

Says the charity: "Stoats were first reported in Orkney in 2010. 

"They pose a serious threat to the Orkney vole, a species found nowhere else in the world, and many birds including hen harriers, short-eared owls, red-throated divers, waders and seabirds. 

Short-eared owl

"This wildlife supports Orkney’s thriving tourism industry and represents a crucial haven for species which are threatened elsewhere in the UK. 

"It is therefore essential that stoats are removed from Orkney before they do major damage to this unique wildlife."

It continues: "The project works with hundreds of landowners in the community to undertake the largest stoat eradication of an inhabited area anywhere in the world. 

"We are implementing comprehensive biosecurity measures alongside the eradication, to reduce the risk of reinvasion and secure a long-term and sustainable legacy for the project. We also conduct wildlife monitoring throughout Orkney to understand the impact that stoats are having.

"We work with schools and the local community to enable and encourage wildlife conservation."

However, not all farmers are supportive of the stoat-purge. They believe the stoats might help control the expanding  population of grey lag geese which they blame for nibbling their crops. 

The vacant  post carries a salary of  £28,331 - £30,415 per annum.

Says the job description: "We are looking for an experienced mammal trapper with excellent organisation and communication skills to help deliver the stoat eradication operation.

"You will be joining an existing team of trappers and must be able to work with a professional attitude in a close-knit and diverse team. 

"As this is a field-based position you must be physically fit, able to walk considerable distances over challenging terrain in all weathers up to five days per week and potentially carry heavy loads."

It continues: "You will enjoy being outdoors and be able to perform a repetitive task to a consistently high standard. 

"You should be passionate about the natural world. 

"You will be a focused individual with attention to detail and the ability to maintain accurate records.

"You will be able to identify issues and risks as they emerge and communicate these effectively to your team. 

"You will have the confidence and ability to inspire trust and support for the project, and an ability to win over hearts and minds and motivate people. 

"You should also have experience of working with local communities in a collaborative and sensitive way because a key part of your role will be maintaining good relationships with landowners." 

Applicants have until midnight on Monday of next week (December 11) to apply for the stoat-trapper post through denis.stojanovic@rspb.org.uk

* It is not known how stoats came to be in Orkney but the prevailing theory is that they arrived among hay bales or farming equipment on board a ferry from mainland Scotland.  

                                               

The trap, which is said to be humane, was devised by the Department of Conservation in in New Zealand

The Wryneck says: It is hard not to feel uneasy about this initiative. A conservation organisation paying staff to slaughter stoats? The argument is that these predators threaten not just the unique rare Orkney vole but also birds such as short-eared owls. But wait a minute! Don't owls also eat voles? If the interests of the Orkney vole are paramount, why does the RSPB not also pursue its own logic by seeking to cull short-eared owls?