News: Critical red squirrel conservation aided by public citizen science efforts

  Members of the Scottish public have aided critical red squirrel conservation efforts by partaking in the sixth annual Great Scottish Squirrel Survey. In a year of mixed fortunes for red squirrels in Scotland, public squirrel sightings have proved more important than ever for work being undertaken by conservationists across the country. Results from the […]

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Fife Squirrelpox Update

  In April, the University of Edinburgh’s Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies confirmed the first death of a red squirrel from the squirrelpox virus north of Scotland’s Central Belt, having conducted tests on a dead squirrel found near Dunfermline in Fife. Squirrelpox is a virus carried by grey squirrels which, whilst not affecting them, […]

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News: First death of red squirrel from squirrelpox virus confirmed north of Scotland’s Central Belt

  The first identified death of a red squirrel from squirrelpox virus north of Scotland’s Central Belt has been confirmed on the outskirts of Dunfermline, Fife. This news could have serious consequences for the area’s red squirrel populations, and people living in the region are urged to remain vigilant. The case was confirmed via post-mortem […]

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News: Over £1M in new funding awarded to aid red squirrel recovery in Scotland

Over £1m in new funding has been announced to aid red squirrel conservation efforts in key areas across Scotland for the next two years. A total grant of £1,052,796 has been awarded by the Scottish Government’s Nature Restoration Fund, managed by NatureScot, which supports the restoration of wildlife and habitats across the country. The new […]

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News: Public squirrel sightings soar in 2023

  Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels has released the results of its fifth annual Great Scottish Squirrel Survey, revealing that 2023 public participation was the second highest since its inception, beating all previous years, bar the record-breaking pandemic lockdown year of 2020. According to the survey, which was conducted between the 2nd and 8th of October […]

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News: Get involved in Scotland’s fifth annual Great Scottish Squirrel Survey

Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels is calling on people in Scotland to take part in the fifth nationwide Great Scottish Squirrel Survey between 2-8 October (National Red Squirrel Week). Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels (SSRS) is a partnership project led by the Scottish Wildlife Trust, working in priority areas to protect red squirrels from the spread of […]

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News: Report details red squirrel conservation successes, with key recommendations for the iconic species’ long-term future in Scotland.

One year on from it’s five-year Developing Community Action project, Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels detail key successes of red squirrel conservation work, and advise on essential actions needed to ensure long-term survival of the species in Scotland. The final report of the £2.46 + million funded project, titled Saving an icon: Final report from the […]

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News: Public citizen science effort creates snapshot of squirrel distributions across Scotland.

Participants of the 2022 Great Scottish Squirrel Survey have helped to build a better picture of red and grey squirrel distributions across Scotland, helping conservation efforts across the country. Members of the public helped contribute significantly to red squirrel conservation in Scotland by reporting sightings during the annual Great Scottish Squirrel Survey Week in October […]

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News: Suspected squirrelpox outbreak near Lockerbie threatens local red squirrel population

  Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels has received multiple reports of red squirrels with suspected squirrelpox virus in Johnsfield just outside Lockerbie. Locals are urged to remain vigilant as this fatal disease could have serious consequences for the local red squirrel population. Within the past few weeks, and over the festive period, several individual red squirrels […]

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News: Get squirrel spotting during the Great Scottish Squirrel Survey next week!

Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels is calling on members of the public to take part in the nationwide Great Scottish Squirrel Survey now taking place between 10-16 October (National Red Squirrel Week). Now in its fourth year, the squirrel spotting campaign is hoping to build on the previous successes of this important effort. Saving Scotland’s Red […]

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