Latest news with #IslesofScillyWildlifeTrust
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Officials enlist surprising helper to ensure survival of protected species: 'It's all like a big game for her'
On the remote Isles of Scilly off England's Cornish coast, an extraordinary canine is helping to ensure the survival of endangered seabirds. Kuki, an Australian Cattle Dog, left conservationists astonished with her ability to detect rodents and help protect the islands' endangered wildlife, the BBC recently reported. Seabirds such as puffins, storm petrels, and Manx shearwaters all rely on the Isles of Scilly to breed. Rodents, such as rats and mice, are a serious threat to these seabird populations because they eat the birds' eggs. The Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust had previously eradicated these rodents from the islands, but it saw probable signs of a mouse in the fall of 2024 that could have posed a threat to its population of storm petrels. As a result, Kuki was deployed in February alongside her handlers from the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and Biosecurity for England to search St Agnes, Gugh, and Annet — three key breeding grounds for these endangered seabirds. Thanks to her sharp senses, Kuki confirmed that no rats had returned, offering vital reassurance to the conservation teams. Tessa Coledale from Biosecurity for England told the BBC, "Kuki is fully focused on sniffing out rats and it's all like a big game for her, really." Coledale went on to highlight Kuki's impact by noting, "Annet has the largest and most diverse number of seabirds in the Isles of Scilly with 6,000 pairs of breeding birds." Considering that much of the Isles' economy relies on tourism, this type of conservation success is critical in fostering both the ecological and the economic success of the area. Thanks to Kuki's efforts, these seabird colonies can continue to thrive in a safe, undisturbed environment. The success of Kuki's mission underscores the power of collaboration between humans and animals to protect wildlife, while her unique skills will surely make a lasting difference in the protection of the Isles of Scilly's seabird populations. Isles wildlife trust chief Julian Branscombe praised Kuki, telling the BBC, "There were no signs of rats, great job from Kuki!" Should we be actively working to kill invasive species? Absolutely It depends on the species I don't know No — leave nature alone Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
24-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Kuki's 'great job' finds no rodent threat on isles
Fears for the safety of endangered wildlife breeding on some of the Isles of Scilly have been allayed by a detection dog's work. Kuki, an Australian Cattle Dog, was deployed with her handlers to St Agnes, Gugh and Annet to search for signs of rodents on 10 and 11 February. In autumn the Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust (IOSWT) said probable signs of a mouse had been found on St Agnes which could pose a threat to its population of storm petrels. After Kuki's visit the chief of Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust (IOSWT) Julian Branscombe said: "There were no signs of rats, great job from Kuki!" Mice and rats were previously eradicated from the islands because they would eat birds' eggs. Laura Bambini, of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), and Tessa Coledale, from Biosecurity for England, lead Kuki's mission. Ms Coledale said: "Kuki is fully focussed on sniffing out rats and it's all like a big game for her, really." However, Kuki's work was of serious consequence for the endangered bird colonies breeding on the islands, she added. She said: "Annet has the largest and most diverse number of seabirds in the Isles of Scilly with 6,000 pairs of breeding birds." Mr Branscombe said: "Annet is an important wildlife sanctuary, with significant populations of endangered species breeding here every year. "That includes storm petrels, Manx shearwaters, puffins, gulls and grey seals." He said the wildlife was sensitive to disturbance so team members only visited the 54 acre (22 hectare) island "when absolutely necessary" to check the health of its ecosystem. Follow BBC Cornwall on X, Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to spotlight@ Dog tasked with search for rats on Isles of Scilly No more signs of mouse in island - wildlife trust Islanders worried as evidence of a mouse is found Isles of Scilly declared 'rat free' Biosecurity for Life Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust RSPB
Yahoo
24-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Kuki's 'great job' finds no rodent threat on isles
Fears for the safety of endangered wildlife breeding on some of the Isles of Scilly have been allayed by a detection dog's work. Kuki, an Australian Cattle Dog, was deployed with her handlers to St Agnes, Gugh and Annet to search for signs of rodents on 10 and 11 February. In autumn the Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust (IOSWT) said probable signs of a mouse had been found on St Agnes which could pose a threat to its population of storm petrels. After Kuki's visit the chief of Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust (IOSWT) Julian Branscombe said: "There were no signs of rats, great job from Kuki!" Mice and rats were previously eradicated from the islands because they would eat birds' eggs. Laura Bambini, of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), and Tessa Coledale, from Biosecurity for England, lead Kuki's mission. Ms Coledale said: "Kuki is fully focussed on sniffing out rats and it's all like a big game for her, really." However, Kuki's work was of serious consequence for the endangered bird colonies breeding on the islands, she added. She said: "Annet has the largest and most diverse number of seabirds in the Isles of Scilly with 6,000 pairs of breeding birds." Mr Branscombe said: "Annet is an important wildlife sanctuary, with significant populations of endangered species breeding here every year. "That includes storm petrels, Manx shearwaters, puffins, gulls and grey seals." He said the wildlife was sensitive to disturbance so team members only visited the 54 acre (22 hectare) island "when absolutely necessary" to check the health of its ecosystem. Follow BBC Cornwall on X, Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to spotlight@ Dog tasked with search for rats on Isles of Scilly No more signs of mouse in island - wildlife trust Islanders worried as evidence of a mouse is found Isles of Scilly declared 'rat free' Biosecurity for Life Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust RSPB
BBC News
24-02-2025
- General
- BBC News
Detection dog finds no rodent threat on Isles of Scilly
Fears for the safety of endangered wildlife breeding on some of the Isles of Scilly have been allayed by a detection dog's an Australian Cattle Dog, was deployed with her handlers to St Agnes, Gugh and Annet to search for signs of rodents on 10 and 11 autumn the Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust (IOSWT) said probable signs of a mouse had been found on St Agnes which could pose a threat to its population of storm Kuki's visit the chief of Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust (IOSWT) Julian Branscombe said: "There were no signs of rats, great job from Kuki!" Mice and rats were previously eradicated from the islands because they would eat birds' Bambini, of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), and Tessa Coledale, from Biosecurity for England, lead Kuki's Coledale said: "Kuki is fully focussed on sniffing out rats and it's all like a big game for her, really."However, Kuki's work was of serious consequence for the endangered bird colonies breeding on the islands, she said: "Annet has the largest and most diverse number of seabirds in the Isles of Scilly with 6,000 pairs of breeding birds."Mr Branscombe said: "Annet is an important wildlife sanctuary, with significant populations of endangered species breeding here every year. "That includes storm petrels, Manx shearwaters, puffins, gulls and grey seals."He said the wildlife was sensitive to disturbance so team members only visited the 54 acre (22 hectare) island "when absolutely necessary" to check the health of its ecosystem.
