Red Squirrel

Are we about to lose our best-loved native mammal?

Red Squirrel© Forestry Commission One of Britain's best-loved native mammals is facing its toughest challenge.

The red squirrel was formerly widespread throughout Britain, but has experienced a significant decline in the last 50 years and is now restricted to Scotland, the north of England, and small pockets in Wales, the Isle of Wight and Brownsea Island.

The population has suffered at the hands of three main attacks on its numbers: woodland management, disease and the spread of the more adaptable grey squirrel.

Extensive woodland felling in the first half of the last century, later compounded by the felling of mature Scots pine and replacing of Norway spruce plantations with Sitka spruce, has limited possible habitat ranges for the red squirrel.

Grey squirrels, introduced from America in the late 19th and early 20th century, are better able to exploit deciduous woodlands than red squirrels. Although there is no evidence to suggest that greys aggressively chase out their red cousins, their higher survival rates and improved breeding prospects mean they are better placed to compete within a shared habitat.

In recent years, the red squirrel population has been heavily affected by the parapox virus, a fatal disease whose origin is still unknown. First confirmed in East Anglia in the 1980s, it has subsequently spread to Lancashire, Cumbria, Durham and Northumberland.

Parapox causes skin ulcers, lesions and scabs with swelling and discharge around the eyes, mouth, feet and genitalia. Squirrels generally become increasingly lethargic as the disease progresses, not unlike the effects of myxomatosis in rabbits. Treatment is difficult, and usually ineffective.

Research indicates that the non-native grey squirrels can act as a carrier for the virus. Although in most cases it appears to not harm the greys, if passed on to reds, it almost certainly results in death, often within just a few days.

Red Squirrel population© A Kefford Britain's red squirrel population is now down to an estimated 160,000, with 75% of those confined to Scotland. Compare that with the grey squirrel's population of more than 2.5 million, outnumbering our native species by more than 15-to-1.

Clearly something has to be done to protect our native animals.

Step forward the Scottish Strategy for Red Squirrel Conservation, produced by the Scottish Squirrel Group, chaired by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) and Forestry Commission Scotland, and including red squirrel conservation groups from around the country.

The Strategy highlights the selection of priority woodlands for red squirrel conservation as key to the survival of the species. In particular, river valleys, such as the Dee, Don and Spey, should be targeted for conservation, as they may otherwise provide opportunities for grey squirrels to migrate into the heart of red squirrel territories. By focussing efforts at these 'pinch points' the defences of the red squirrel can be bolstered in the long term.

In addition, the Strategy sets out a number of measures through which individuals and organisations are invited to contribute to red squirrel conservation. These include the establishment of a local squirrel group network, recording squirrel sightings, maintaining a national database of records, developing 'squirrel-friendly' management, and protecting and improving habitat.

"Red squirrels in Scotland continue to be threatened, particularly by development, woodland management and competition from the grey squirrel," said Mairi Cole, mammals specialist at Scottish Natural Heritage.

"This strategy will help us to focus on areas where we can maximise our efforts to protect this endangered species and sets out clear ways of working with foresters and other groups which can help red squirrels survive."

Red squirrels prefer large conifer forests, and have adapted well to Scots pine; greys, however, often favour deciduous woodland. By providing optimum conditions for red squirrels through appropriate planting of woodland and access between habitats, the Scottish Squirrel Group also hopes to limit the advance of grey squirrels in Scotland.

Greys are now present in the Borders, Dumfries & Galloway, from the central belt up to Pitlochry and Loch Lomond, and in Aberdeenshire, spreading down the River Dee to Banchory.

Alex Morris, Forestry Commission Scotland Conservator said: "The contribution that foresters and landowners continue to make to managing the woodland habitat to favour red squirrels, and also controlling competing grey squirrels in woodlands, is crucial to the long-term future of red squirrels in Scotland."

"The strategy moves us in the direction of identifying where such work is going to be most effective and should engender even more close working between forest managers and local groups to conserve these important red squirrel populations."

The full strategy document is available from the SNH website.

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