A three-year project has been completed to secure the recovery of the internationally important seabird colonies on Canna by eradicating rats from the islands. Funding was obtained from the EU LIFE Nature programme with additional support from Scottish Natural Heritage, and the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland.

Rats were eradicated from the Canna and Sanday SPA by poisoning from September 2005 to March 2006. It was essential to complete the eradication programme in Winter because it is much easier to poison the rats when they are stressed by low food availability and cold; birds of prey are not breeding at this time and the risks of accidental poisoning of young animals of any non-target species are minimised.

An unusual aspect of this Project was the need to achieve the eradication programme without causing damage to non-target wildlife which are also of very high conservation value (notably the breeding raptors and the distinct island population of Fieldmouse (Apodemus sylvaticus). A number of strict controls were put in place to protect the birds of prey and an assurance population of the Fieldmice were removed from the island to breed in captivity at Edinburgh Zoo.

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