Published Date:
03 November 2008
By Jenny Haworth
Environment Correspondent
NEW tactics are to be implemented in the battle to save one of Scotland's most treasured native animals from a growing army of its invading American cousins.
Grey squirrels, carrying a deadly pox, are advancing ever further into Scotland, putting the survival of native red squirrels at risk.
Despite sustained efforts to cull the greys in the UK – with 20,000 killed in Northumberland alone – the animals have continued to spread, with the first spotted in the Highlands earlier this year.
Now protective forest strongholds are to be created across the country where the smaller, native red squirrels can hide and live in safety. About 20 red squirrel refuges will be established by Forestry Commission Scotland, covering 80,000 hectares.
The list of areas, which has not yet been finalised, is likely to include a woodland site on Arran, which, as an island, will afford the red squirrels extra protection.
Grey squirrels, originally from America, drive the smaller red squirrels out of their native habitats by eating all the food. They also carry squirrel pox, which leaves them unaffected but is lethal to the reds.
Jo Ellis, who is heading the programme at Forestry Commission Scotland, said culling greys must not be the only tactic to protect reds.
"The stronghold approach is an insurance policy in a way," she said.
"We don't want them to only live in these places, but it's about trying to give reds places where they can thrive.
"It doesn't mean we are giving up on grey-squirrel control but if we just try and cull grey squirrels and that doesn't work, then reds will have very little chance."
The chosen areas of forests will be heavily planted with conifer trees. Mrs Ellis said: "In these forests reds seem to be able to thrive but greys don't go there.
"They are not interested. They are going to be so unfriendly to a grey squirrel that they won't want to be there."
Ironically, more conifer forests will have to be planted to provide for the native animal. Grey squirrels prefer the broad-leafed trees, such as oak, chestnut and beech that typify Scotland's native woodlands.
Dr Mairi Cole, red squirrel advisor at Scottish Natural Heritage, supports the procedure.
She said: "Everyone wants to use grey control as the main tactic but that's not the backbone of a sustainable strategy. This has to be done as well, as an insurance policy."
Meanwhile, Scottish Natural Heritage is preparing to apply to the Scottish Government for about £1.3 million to carry out a three-year study to find out how effective culling grey squirrels is likely to be in the fight to save the reds. There is currently little evidence to show whether this approach will work, and some groups, such as Advocates for Animals, think it will be futile.
Ms Cole said: "The anecdotal evidence shows that if you take greys out at significant levels then it works, but we want the evidence to show that. However, if it takes an awful lot of effort to get a few grey squirrels and the reds don't respond, then we have to make a decision as to whether it's a beneficial thing to do."
IN NUMBERS
5 million
Grey squirrels in the UK.
120,000
Red squirrels in the UK.
75
Percentage of the UK's red squirrels that live in Scotland.
15
Number of days it takes a red squirrel with pox to die.
530 grams
Weight of a grey squirrel.
300 grams
Weight of a red squirrel.
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Last Updated:
02 November 2008 9:16 PM
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Source:
The Scotsman
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Location:
Edinburgh
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Related Topics:
Squirrels
