07 March 2007

Saving Wales’ Red Squirrels

Conservationists, foresters and woodland owners from throughout Wales met in Cardiff this week to discuss the future of Wales’ remaining red squirrels. 

The meeting, organised by the charity the European Squirrel Initiative (ESI), had heard experts explain the threat to red squirrels, particularly from the invasive American grey squirrel.  Wales’ rapidly declining population of red squirrels is under continuing pressure from the grey squirrel and lack of suitably managed habitat.   

The meeting heard from Dr. Craig Shuttleworth of Menter Mon who is responsible for pioneering work on Anglesey where red squirrels are being reintroduced alongside an effective cull of grey squirrels.   

“The work we are doing on Anglesey shows that red squirrels can be reintroduced providing grey squirrels are removed first.  Over the past few years we have carried out a policy of trapping and shooting grey squirrels to the position where there are now only a handful left.  The reds we have introduced are thriving and the population will increase year on year,” said Dr. Shuttleworth. 

Mr Paul Raymond-Barker, representing woodland owners throughout Wales said that the damage caused to woodlands by grey squirrels was devastating and more needed to be done to control grey squirrels and protect and reintroduce red squirrels.

“We need to see more effective action from both the Private Sector and the Forestry Commission in Wales in dealing with the problem of grey squirrels. They are having a major detrimental impact on the economics of forestry and the biodiversity of the countryside. There is no point in growing broadleaves, or indeed many of the conifer species, unless both the Forestry Commission and the Private Sector act on a united front to remove the grey squirrel”, said Mr Raymond-Barker.   

The European Squirrel Initiative was established in 2004 and is now one of the leading charities dedicated to preserving the red squirrel and controlling the grey squirrel.

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