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Action to prevent red squirrel extinction
27/08/2008
A new phase in a project to prevent the extinction of one of Scotland's most valuable native species got underway today.
The Red Squirrels in South Scotland (RSSS) Project will seek to halt the spread of the lethal squirrelpox virus by creating a 'buffer zone' across the south of the country.
Its work will include an extensive programme of humane control of the invasive grey squirrel species.
Squirrelpox is deadly to red squirrels and causes a slow, lingering death as the animal starves over about 15 days. The virus is carried by and is harmless to the non native grey squirrels.
Speaking from the Drumlanrig Estate in Dumfries and Galloway, Minister for Environment Michael Russell said:
"The red squirrel is one of our most beautiful and valuable native species and Scotland is one of the few sanctuaries it has left.
"Since its arrival in the British Isles, the grey squirrel has gradually taken over with its more aggressive feeding habits, meaning that its red cousin is now endangered.
"To make matters worse, a new threat is heading north in the form of squirrelpox, lethal to the red squirrel and almost endemic in the grey population.
"To save the red squirrel it is absolutely vital that we stop the spread of squirrelpox. It is already spreading alarmingly across southern Scotland. Now is the time to act - we have only a short time to save the red squirrel from the brink of extinction.
"The Red Squirrels in South Scotland (RSSS) Project aims, not just to stop squirrelpox in its tracks, but ultimately to bring the red back into areas where the grey has taken over.
"Humane destruction of grey squirrels is absolutely necessary to make the project's aims a reality. There is simply no alternative.
"If squirrelpox moves further north it could be a disaster - the future of the red squirrel, therefore, depends on the success of RSSS.
"This is an innovative partnership led by private land owners working with the Scottish Government, its wildlife and forestry agencies and the Scottish Wildlife Trust.
"I am confident that RSSS will see Scotland's red squirrels thrive once again and ensure that future generations are able to enjoy them."
Chairman of the RSSS project Andy Wiseman added:
"The success of this project will depend very much on our ability to create a disease free barrier across south Scotland's woodlands.
"We are going to need the help of land owners to assist our team of experienced controllers with trapping efforts, and the general public to report grey squirrel sightings to our team of experienced controllers.
"Everbody across south Scotland can play apart and we will be widely publicising the teams contact details."
RSSS is a unique partnership developed by private land managers between Red Alert South Scotland, Borders Squirrel Management Group, Red Alert Ayrshire, Scottish Natural Heritage, Forestry Commission Scotland, Scottish Wildlife Trust and the Scottish Government.
The main focus of the project will be to identify relevant land holdings and through the use of Rural Development Contract (RDC) grants from the Scotland Rural Development Programme (SRDP), establish these estates, woodland plantations and farms into an effective grey squirrel control network across the Borders, Dumfries and Galloway and into South and East Ayrshire and south Lanarkshire whilst using the Grey Squirrel Control Officers to fill in any control gaps and to deal with Squirrel Pox outbreaks as they occur.
Key Targets for the RSSS Project include identification the main entry points of grey squirrels from the south and from the north; establishment of an effective grey squirrel control network across the south of Scotland which will include volunteers and to provide a central reference point for the general public to report sightings; operate a trap loan scheme; provide a quick response/callout service to deal with grey squirrel dispatch; and to expand and intensify the Squirrelpox monitoring to a wider area around the known outbreaks to establish whether the virus has spread
After one year the project aims to have a clear understanding of where the virus has reached and stopped the spread of the squirrel pox virus in south Scotland; to have significantly increased the control network of land managers and volunteers; and to have engaged the wider public and raised understanding about the red squirrel in Scotland by promoting and communicating the key messages.
Longer term goals include stopping spread of the Squirrelpox virus grey squirrels northwards, demonstrating that there is an effective 'cordon sanitaire' across the south of Scotland and and increase in numbers and spread of red squirrels back into areas previously occupied by the grey squirrel.
The RSSS project officer, Richard Wales, can be contacted on 01750 23446 and for more information on community and educational involvement contact Stephanie Meyer Gleaves on 01556 610051.