Technical Evaluation and Lessons Learned Report for the LIFE Raft ferret and brown rat eradication operation (2021 – 2026)

Tender description

The RSPB invites bids from appropriately qualified individuals or organisations to independently monitor, evaluate and highlight and consolidate lessons learned in connection with the delivery of invasive species eradication in the LIFE Raft project. Review delivery of the technical aspects associated with the eradication of ferrets and brown rats from Rathlin as part of the LIFE Raft project, and prepare a report highlighting how delivery of the technical aspects could have been delivered more efficiently and effectively and,Review and update to the ‘Lessons Learned’ database, and prepare a Lessons Learned report that can be shared with eradication practitioners and future eradication project developers. Lot 1: LIFE Raft aims to eradicate brown rats and feral ferrets from Rathlin Island, Co. Antrim, Northern Ireland and put steps in place to decrease the likelihood of their return. Many hundreds of islands around the world have been restored in this way, but Rathlin Island is the first where a feral ferret eradication is being attempted. It will also be one of the largest and most populous islands in the world to be cleared of brown rats exclusively using closed bait stations (due to local restrictions). All-in-all, this means LIFE Raft’s work is significant not just for Rathlin, but for people restoring islands around the world. The LIFE Raft Board wishes to contract an external organisation or individual(s) to: - Review delivery of the technical aspects associated with the eradication of ferrets and brown rats from Rathlin as part of the LIFE Raft project, and prepare a report highlighting how delivery of the technical aspects could have been delivered more efficiently and effectively and, - Review and update to the ‘Lessons Learned’ database, and prepare a Lessons Learned report that can be shared with eradication practitioners and future eradication project developers.