…red squirrels.Scotland is home to just 120,000 red squirrels, three quarters of the UK population. The main threat to native squirrels comes from competition with invasive non-native grey squirrels and the spread of the deadly squirrelpox virus. Dr Mel Tonkin, Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels Project Manager said: “Our work since 2009 shows that through targeted control of grey squirrels… […]
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When squirrelpox first arrived in the south of Scotland in 2005, there were fears that the virus would prove devastating to the region’s red squirrels. The project was also concerned that without conservation action the virus would continue to spread north towards Scotland’s core red squirrel populations in the Highlands. Prof Andy White of Heriot-Watt University and Dr Peter… […]
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Laura Preston, the new Scottish Borders Conservation Officer for Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels, is calling on locals to help the project by reporting sightings of both red and grey squirrels online. Laura joins Community Engagement Officer Alexa Seagrave in the project’s new regional office near Newton St Boswells. They will be working with landowners and volunteers to protect… […]
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…inches of snow had laid overnight and that the snow was still falling heavily. I live in a cozy, small bothy on a farm just outside of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, about one kilometer up a rough dirt track. And that track was not passable in my small car. Knowing that I was able to postpone my… […]
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…Officer, Sarah Cooper at scooper@scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk. Unfortunately, at this time, SSRS are unable to fully confirm the presence of squirrelpox as the experts who carry out post mortem investigations are currently not operating due to coronavirus restrictions. However, photographs and videos of the squirrel are extremely useful in helping determine whether symptoms correlate with those presented by squirrelpox. Please note, that… […]
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…volunteers have been contributing to our grey squirrel control work in the area, so it’s great to see their efforts finally paying off. One of the long-term goals in the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park action plans, including ‘Wild Park 2020’, is working towards a long-term goal of maintaining the whole area as a ‘red-only’ zone. An… […]
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SSRS Knowledge Fair: celebrating five years of developing community action 3-4 December 2021 As our ‘Developing Community Action’ phase comes to an end we will be celebrating all the project has achieved alongside our partners, volunteers, landowners and supporters. This virtual Knowledge Fair will also provide an opportunity to learn more about red squirrel conservation work happening across Scotland… […]
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SSRS Knowledge Fair – contributors FAQs The conference is taking place Friday 3rd and Saturday 4th December on the CrowdComms virtual conferencing platform. Do I have to pre-record? Every presenter has the option to pre-record their presentation i.e. create a video that will be broadcast ‘live’ on the day. Pre-recording helps everyone stick to time and reduces the chances… […]
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…North America. They out-compete native red squirrels for food and living space, and can also carry squirrelpox, a virus that is deadly to reds. They have completely replaced red squirrels in parts of Scotland, including much of Stirlingshire, but targeted control work carried out by Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels is preventing them from spreading further and in some places allowing… […]
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…not only threatens the local red squirrel population in the Mearns but it could also jeopardise the project’s success in Aberdeen. The introduction of squirrelpox into North East Scotland could be devastating for the core populations of red squirrels in the north of Scotland. For more information about volunteering with Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels visit scottishsquirrels.org.uk. VIEW VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES… […]
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