Seabird isles cleared of sweet-toothed rodents

A group of remote Scottish isles has officially been declared rat-free after rodents were caught in traps laced with peanut butter and chocolate.

In a four-year programme to rid the Shiant Isles of rodents, the RSPB placed mini “rat motels” in the area and used cocoa and peanut butter flavoured wax blocks to lure them.

It is hoped by ridding the island of its non-native rats, seabird populations will be regenerated.

The Isles, which are in the Outer Hebrides, provide a home for 100,000 pairs of nesting seabirds each year.