On the windswept Orkney Islands, just 20 miles north of the Scottish mainland, a team of remarkable conservation detection dogs is playing a groundbreaking role in one of the world’s most ambitious wildlife restoration projects. The Orkney Native Wildlife Project (ONWP) is a collaborative effort between the RSPB, NatureScot, and Orkney Islands Council to safeguard the islands’ delicate ecosystems from the devastating impact of invasive stoats.
Despite making up just 0.4% of the UK’s landmass, Orkney is home to a staggering 11% of the UK’s breeding seabirds, 20% of its Hen Harriers, and over a third of Arctic and Great Skuas. Its position on the East Atlantic Flyway also makes it a vital stopover for over 150 species of migratory birds. However, the arrival of stoats—an invasive, non-native species—in 2010 threatened this biodiversity, putting Orkney’s unique wildlife at risk. These predators, which have no natural enemies on the islands, prey on ground-nesting birds, their eggs, and even the endemic Orkney Vole, a key food source for Hen Harriers.
The ONWP’s aim is ambitious: to make Orkney completely stoat-free by the end of the decade. At the heart of this effort are conservation detection dogs like Skye, a three-year-old liver and white spaniel. Skye is one of Europe’s first conservation detection dogs and part of a pioneering team that has searched over 70 miles of Orkney’s rugged terrain.
How Conservation Dogs Work
Trained to use their extraordinary sense of smell, conservation dogs play a critical role in locating stoats and their droppings, known as scat. Their ability to process smells is up to 60 times more powerful than humans, thanks to their 220,000–300,000 olfactory receptor cells. Skye’s handler, Chantel Carr, explains: “The dogs are trained to locate scat often hidden deep in moorland vegetation, which provides crucial data for trappers to place their traps effectively.” There are two types of detection dogs on the project. Scat dogs like Skye detect stoat droppings, while tracker dogs indicate the recent presence of stoats. “During the summer response season, when stoats have bred and their juveniles are ranging widely, the tracker dogs are essential,” Chantel notes.
Challenges of the Job
Working on Orkney is not without its challenges. The islands’ unforgiving terrain and high winds—often reaching 30-50mph—can hinder scent detection. “High winds really affect Skye’s ability to accurately pick up scents,” Chantel says. The dogs and their handlers navigate boggy moorlands where “sometimes it feels like the earth wants to swallow you whole,” Chantel adds. Despite these challenges, the dogs’ welfare remains a top priority. “We perform daily health checks, warm-up and cooldown routines, and monitor them closely to ensure their well-being. At the first sign of slowing down, we consult a vet to decide if it’s time for retirement,” Chantel explains. Retirement means a life of leisure, ensuring the dogs live out their days happily and pain-free.
A Project of Unprecedented Scale
The ONWP is the largest stoat eradication project ever attempted on inhabited islands. Since trapping began in 2019, over 7,000 stoats have been humanely removed, significantly reducing their population. By January 2026, the project aims to enter its “Mop Up” phase, targeting the last remaining stoats through public sightings and intensive monitoring. The project’s success has been internationally significant. Anne McCall, Director of RSPB Scotland, highlights its importance: “This is a success story for conservation against the backdrop of a nature crisis that is pushing more of Scotland’s wildlife to the brink. Removing invasive stoats is restoring the natural balance to Orkney and giving its wildlife the best chance to thrive.” The scale of the project is immense, involving over 350,000 individual trap checks and cooperation with 913 landowners. This effort reflects the community’s commitment to preserving Orkney’s unique biodiversity. Surveys revealed that 92% of residents believe they have a duty to protect Orkney’s wildlife for future generations, and 88% fear the consequences of not addressing the stoat problem.
Signs of Recovery
Encouragingly, the latest ONWP Wildlife Report reveals that the removal of stoats is having a profound impact. Hen Harriers, which are Red-listed as Birds of Conservation Concern, have seen successful nesting attempts leap from 36% in 2019 to 82% in 2023. Other ground-nesting birds, such as Curlews and Lapwings (both Red-listed) and Oystercatchers (Amber-listed), are also experiencing higher nesting success rates. The endemic Orkney Vole, a species found nowhere else in the world, has shown a 200% increase in activity since 2019. “Every year since the project began, we’ve seen more evidence of vole activity. This is a strong indicator that our efforts are making a difference,” says Dr. Katherine Leys, Head of Biodiversity at NatureScot.
This biodiversity success story has broader implications, benefiting Orkney’s thriving wildlife tourism industry. Visitors contributed £70 million to the local economy in 2019-2020, with 46% engaging in wildlife watching activities. Protecting species like Hen Harriers and Curlews is essential not only for the ecosystem but also for sustaining this vital economic sector. Securing a Stoat-Free Future The long-term success of the ONWP depends on robust biosecurity measures. This includes deploying detection dogs on stoat-free islands to confirm their status and checking incoming sea vessels for stowaways. “The dogs’ role in biosecurity is essential,” Chantel explains. “Their incredible noses are our first line of defence against future invasions.” Public support has been crucial to the project’s progress. This collective effort includes the contribution of over eight working years’ worth of volunteer hours. The project’s use of international best practices ensures a meticulous approach, with a two-year monitoring period to confirm eradication success. If a stoat is found within this period, the clock resets, ensuring no stone is left unturned. The Impact Beyond Orkney The lessons learned from the ONWP are of international interest. Stoat eradication projects are notoriously complex, but the innovative use of detection dogs offers a replicable model for other regions facing similar invasive species challenges. The ONWP’s approach is already being studied by conservationists worldwide. The impact of invasive species like stoats is well-documented. In New Zealand, stoats contributed to the extinction of iconic ground-nesting birds like the Laughing Owl and continue to threaten the Kiwi. By eradicating stoats from Orkney, the ONWP team is setting a benchmark for conservation efforts globally.
Skye’s Legacy
For Skye and her fellow canine colleagues, their work goes beyond simply detecting stoats. They are vital contributors to restoring a delicate ecosystem and ensuring the survival of species that depend on Orkney’s unique environment. “After a long day on the moorlands, Skye usually spends her evenings fast asleep on her bed,” Chantel laughs. “She’s earned every moment of rest.” As the ONWP moves into its final phases, the dedication of these four-legged heroes and their handlers continues to make a lasting impact. By the end of the decade, thanks to their efforts, Orkney’s wildlife will stand a much stronger chance of thriving for generations to come.
For more information about the Orkney Native Wildlife Project, visit Orkney Native Wildlife Project
Main photo: Skye with handler, Chantel Carr.
As featured in the January edition of Pets Magazine.