New research on the spread of squirrelpox has revealed both good and bad news for the ability of the Scottish red squirrel population to survive the deadly virus.
Red Squirrel
The report, commissioned by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) suggests that the pox will continue to spread and possibly wipe out red squirrels in areas where grey squirrels already live but that the disease could be kept out of areas where reds dominate and there are no, or very few greys. These areas include the Highlands, parts of Tayside, Argyll, Moray and Aberdeenshire.
However in order to contain the virus in Southern Scotland the report says that the grey squirrel population in these areas will need to be controlled, probably by culling. Culling programmes for greys already exist in some areas of Scotland including Fife and Aberdeenshire. Scotland currently has around 75% of the UK’s population of red squirrels but it is estimated that within 15 years of greys arriving in an area, the indigenous reds will be replaced because the greys can out-compete them for food and spread disease including the squirrel pox.
The study was carried out by Professor Andy White of Heriot-Watt University and ecological consultant Dr Peter Lurz and will be used by SNH to guide future conservation policy. Professor White said: “Without grey squirrel control, the virus will likely continue to spread across all areas where grey squirrels exist.
“Importantly, however, our research found that the virus is unlikely to spread through areas that only have red squirrel populations.
“The key will be to remain vigilant for grey squirrels trying to colonise these areas.”
Ron Macdonald, director of policy and advice at SNH, said: “This report provides us with valuable information on how best to protect important populations of red squirrels in the face of the increasing spread of squirrelpox.”
Conservation group Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels is asking the public to look out for, and report signs of the disease in red squirrels.