'Time running out' to save red squirrels

There is only a short time to save Scotland's native red squirrels from the brink of extinction, environment minister Mike Russell warned today.
Mr Russell said red squirrels were one of the country's "most beautiful and valuable species".

But the creatures are threatened by increasing numbers of grey squirrels in the north of Scotland.

Today Mr Russell learned more about a new project to be launched next year, which aims to halt the expansion of they grey squirrel into the area.

The £1.45 million Saving Scotland's Red Squirrels project aims to push grey squirrels back along key routes into the north.

The scheme, a joint effort between Scottish Natural Heritage, the Scottish Wildlife Trust, Forestry Commission Scotland and the Scottish Rural Property and Business Association, is due to be launched in February next year and will run for three years.

And it follows on from the launch of a similar project in Dumfries and Galloway earlier this year.

Grey squirrels are a threat to their red counterparts because of their more aggressive feeding habits, and also because they carry the squirrelpox virus – which is lethal to red squrrels but harmless to greys.

Mr 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."

But he added: "Since its introduction to the British Isles, the grey squirrel has gradually taken over with its more aggressive feeding habits, meaning that the red is now endangered.

"To make matters worse, squirrelpox, almost endemic in the grey population has spread alarmingly across southern Scotland and we must act. We have only a short time to save the red squirrel from the brink of extinction.

"This project, like the Red Squirrels in south Scotland, which I launched in Dumfries and Galloway earlier this year, aims to stop the march of the grey into the north and taking over areas currently home to the red."

The minister said the organisations involved had shown "genuine vision in coming together to save the red squirrel".

And he added: "Like all Scots I am hopeful that projects like these will see Scotland's red squirrels thrive once again and ensure that future generations are able to enjoy them."