squirrelpox – Saving Scotland's Red Squirrels

Deadly virus confirmed in red squirrel population

Posted on 06/07/2026 by ssrs_admin

A sick red squirrel with lesions around its face.

Conservation organisations have confirmed the presence of squirrelpox in red squirrels in Clackmannanshire. Through a post-mortem examination of an adult male red squirrel found in Dollar, Clackmannanshire, the University of Edinburgh’s Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies has confirmed that squirrelpox is present in the population. This is only the second time the virus has been detected north of the central belt. Squirrelpox is a virus carried […]

Potential squirrelpox cases in Clackmannanshire

Posted on 24/06/2026 by ssrs_admin

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. […]

Red squirrel post-mortems

Posted on 17/03/202616/03/2026 by ssrs_admin

A dead red squirrel lying in the middle of a road.

What can we learn from a dead red squirrel? Here at SSRS we use a lot of data to inform our work, determine priority areas and track the success of the project. From public sightings to camera trap images and hair sample ID, we gather this data from lots of different places, […]

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

Posted on 16/01/202317/01/2023 by ssrs_admin

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 […]

Squirrel Sightings: an inside look

Posted on 17/09/202115/09/2021 by Victoria Chanin

We are fast approaching the Great Scottish Squirrel Survey 2021, and following last year’s fantastic response we are really looking forward to seeing this year’s results. For those who haven’t participated before, the Great Scottish Squirrel Survey is a week-long event in September when we call on the general public to keep an eye […]

Studying the life of the urban red squirrel

Posted on 04/08/202128/07/2021 by Kat Fingland

Kat Fingland joined SSRS in May 2021 as the new Conservation Officer for South West Scotland. Prior to starting the role, she has spent the past five years researching the red squirrels of Formby, Merseyside, for her PhD at Nottingham Trent University, studying how red squirrels have adapted to live alongside people in urban […]

Squirrelpox: Staying ahead of the spread

Posted on 31/03/202114/07/2021 by Keilidh Ewan

Squirrelpox has posed a threat to native red squirrels in southern Scotland since the mid 2000s, and whilst targeted grey squirrel control efforts have been proven to slow the spread of the virus, they cannot prevent its spread – it is therefore important to be vigilant, informed and well prepared. Today we’re taking a […]

Reports of suspected squirrelpox near Cardrona

Posted on 21/05/202021/05/2020 by Keilidh Ewan

Multiple suspected cases of squirrelpox from Cardrona in the Scottish Borders have been reported to Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels in recent weeks. Sightings and photographs of sick red squirrels, believed to be suffering from squirrelpox, have been reported to us from Cardrona and the surrounding area. While we investigate the situation further, we […]

Red squirrels and biosecurity

Posted on 22/04/2020 by Guest Blogger

Professor Ronald J Roberts, Chairman of Bradan Biosecurity, discusses the importance of strong biosecurity protocols and how they can protect Scotland’s red squirrels from the threat of squirrelpox. He is a veterinary surgeon who has personally been involved in the development and testing of Virkon ®S, a broad-spectrum disinfectant, for the last 20 years. […]

Suspected squirrelpox cases on the Solway Coast

Posted on 03/04/2020 by Keilidh Ewan

Two suspected cases of squirrelpox are being investigated in the Auchencairn and Sandyhills regions of the Solway Coast in Dumfries and Galloway. Following the retrieval of a sick red squirrel believed to be suffering from squirrelpox by the SSPCA from Auchencairn last week and the sighting of another red squirrel showing squirrelpox symptoms […]