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27th September 2011
RED SQUIRRELS UNDER THREAT
Red squirrels could be extinct on mainland Britain within 20 years, according to a review of the plight of British Mammals by Oxford University’s Wildlife Conservation Research Unit (WildCRU). The report highlights the retreat of the red squirrel as the most significant example of a mammal under threat.
Until the introduction of the grey squirrels from America in the 1850s the red squirrel was found throughout Britain. The grey squirrel out competes the red for food but, more significantly carries a lethal disease called squirrelpox virus.
Nowadays greys have taken over and red squirrels are confined to a number of island sites, parts of the north of England and Scotland.
“We welcome the publication of this report, it draws attention to the plight of our native red squirrel and the impact that virus infected greys are having on them,” said George Farr, Chairman of the European Squirrel Initiative.
“More needs to be done to control grey squirrels in order to save the remaining precious populations of red,” he added.
The European Squirrel Initiative, a charity, was set up to draw attention to the declining numbers of red squirrels and to highlight the need to take effective action against the alien American grey squirrels.
“Grey control is the only effective way of saving our reds. Government, conservation organisations, landowners – public and private and the general public must all play their part in controlling this ruthless invader which is threatening our native red squirrel,” said Mr Farr.
The WildCRU report, commissioned by the Peoples Trust for Endangered Species also highlighted the impact that the loss of wildlife will have on rural tourism.
