Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels and the Eastern Lowlands Red Squirrel Group have received multiple reports of sick red squirrels in Dollar, Clackmannanshire, with symptoms they believe to be consistent with squirrelpox. Post mortem results are the only way to confirm squirrelpox, but experts think it is highly likely from the below video evidence.
The project is urging residents in Dollar to take down any wildlife feeders in their gardens for the next two weeks, and send any dead red squirrels found to the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies (information on how to do this is on the Publications page of our website.
Eastern Lowlands Red Squirrel Group are working in the area to contain the spread of the potential virus, and are calling for local residents to get in touch if they can host a live trap in their garden. Anyone who can help or has images of sick red squirrels should contact elredsquirrelgroup@gmail.com.
Squirrelpox symptoms include lesions around the face, paws and genitalia. The squirrel will appear to be noticeably unwell – it may be quite lethargic and remain stationary for long periods of time and be easy to approach. Squirrelpox is a virus spread by grey squirrels. Greys are unaffected by the virus, but it is fatal to red squirrels within about two weeks.
There has only been one other positive case of squirrelpox north of the central belt, in Dunfermline in 2024.