People on Orkney are being urged to sign-up to join a new effort to “eradicate” stoats from the islands.
Up to 50 volunteers will be trained to trap the non-native species in the first step towards a complete cull.
A report published by the Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) earlier this year suggested that the presence of stoats on the islands would lead to significant decline in the population of Orkney voles, as well as already rare birds of prey such as short-eared owls and hen harriers.
Local sightings of the animals have soared from 290 last year to 470 so far in 2015.
SNH said that the “eventual eradication” of stoats from Orkney would be expected to cost at least £500,000 over four to five years, and is likely to be dependent on successful application for European funding.
As a first step, the agency intends to begin trying to control the population, and is urging volunteers to help.
Graham Neville, SNH northern isles operations manager, said: “We are committed to tackling the issue of stoats in Orkney and are setting up a full-scale eradication project with a view to bid for external funding.
“Our priority is the control of the population and distribution of stoats in Orkney.
“Everyone can be assured that animal welfare is our top priority and is central to the project. Any animal caught will be handled and dispatched in a humane and legal manner.
“And we are extremely grateful for the wealth of expertise that our volunteers are able to offer to assist with this.”
Rachel Cartwright has been appointed to the Orkney stoat project team as co-ordinator of the volunteer trappers.
She has already contacted local residents who have expressed an interest in assisting with the work.
She said: “We will be training volunteers and supplying them with equipment to trap and monitor the stoats and we are delighted to announce an initial training session on November 12, 13 and 14.
“We will be training up to 50 volunteers initially and are especially keen to hear from people living on Burray and South Ronaldsay to ensure good coverage across all areas of Orkney where stoats have been sighted.
“There is a risk that stoats may reach the other isles and it is important that residents are vigilant for evidence of stoat activity, for example when hay or straw is being brought in.
“We urgently need people across the islands to join our volunteer trapping team to ensure that any stoat incursions to new areas can be dealt with immediately.”