Squirrel Pox update and Red Squirrel Week events

Early May this year saw Scotland’s first outbreak of Squirrelpox in red squirrels. Since then 3 more sick squirrels have been found in the Lockerbie area and were later confirmed to be suffering from the fatal disease. To find out more about this virus and its impact on the red squirrel population in the south of Scotland and events you can attend during Red Squirrel Week.

Squirrelpox virus is carried by grey squirrels who do not suffer any ill effects of doing so. If a red squirrel contracts the virus it becomes lethargic and develops scabby, pussy lesions around the eyes, feet, mouth and genitalia and will die of secondary infections at about 15 days. Once the virus is in red squirrels they are highly infectious so it is important to remove diseased red squirrels from the population in order to reduce the spread of disease. To this end we are also asking members of the public not to feed squirrels where red and grey squirrels are present as this could facilitate the spread of disease. Any sick or dead red squirrels should be reported to the Red Squirrel Conservation Officer for your region and sent off for post mortem if appropriate. We are always looking for sightings of red and grey squirrels so do get in touch if you see any. As always traps, training and blood kits can be provided to anyone who wishes to help control grey squirrels.

Red squirrel week is 30th September to 8th October. Richard will be giving a slide show and talk on red squirrels at Paxton House, Berwickshire on the 4th October to mark Red Squirrel Week. Please contact Richard for further details.

There are no activities planned in D&G because Ann-Marie is leaving the project at the end of Phase III (September 30th). Ann-Marie is off to New Zealand indefinitely! Contact details for her replacement will remain the same.

To celebrate National Red Squirrel Week the Ayrshire Red Squirrel Group will be holding a guided walk in the magnificent setting of Craigengillan Estate near Dalmellington on Saturday October 6th. Places are limited and booking is essential. For further details or to book, please call Shona Munro on 01292 520929 or see www.ayrshireredsquirrels.org

For information or to report sightings in Dumfries and Galloway please contact:

Red Squirrels in South Scotland, Carlow House, Locharbriggs, Dumfries, DG1 1QS.
Telephone 01387 711804 or mobile 07733 121837.
E-mail: ann-marie@red-squirrels.org.uk Website: www.red-squirrels.org.uk

For information or to report sightings in the Scottish Borders please contact:

Richard Wales, Red Squirrel Conservation Officer for the Scottish Borders at:

Red Squirrels in South Scotland, Studio 2, Lindean Mill, Selkirk. TD1 3PE
Telephone 01750 23446 or mobile 07733 121838