Grey squirrels -

• Carry disease in the form of the squirrel pox virus (SQPV), which as far as we are aware is always fatal when passed to red squirrels

• Compete for food and habitat with red squirrels, eventually displacing them

There is no reason that red squirrels cannot continue to thrive alongside the traditional farming, forestry and leisure activities that typify our area of Cumbria providing that thought is given to the needs of red squirrels when decisions about conservation and land management are being made.

The WRSS is more than happy to discuss red squirrel habitat and conservation with local landowners. Please contact us>>

Factfile

Red squirrels are now an endangered species but at one time they could be found all over the UK

The invasive, non-native grey squirrel was first introduced to England from America in the late 1870s

The grey squirrel is the primary cause of decline of the red squirrel

Red squirrels are now virtually extinct in the south of England

Without action it is estimated that red squirrels will become extinct in England within a decade

The Formby population of red squirrels was decimated by the squirrel pox virus, and at one point declined by more than 80%

It is estimated that 60% of grey squirrels in England and Wales carry the squirrel pox virus

Grey squirrels are more opportunistic feeders and will strip an area of natural foods before red squirrels have a chance to feed

Grey squirrels eat seven times more than red squirrels

Squirrel pox virus was first recorded in Cumbria in Spring 1998

Grey Squirrels cause damage to woodland by stripping bark from the trunks and branches of trees

Grey squirrels prey on wild birds' eggs and kill and eat fledglings

Grey squirrels are classed as vermin in the UK - it is illegal to release a grey squirrel back into the wild once it has been caught, or to treat grey squirrels for illness or injury, or to keep them in captivity without a licence

The WRSS has a co-ordinated strategy for grey squirrel control across the area and we have a team of trained volunteers who work with our network of members and contacts.

Although there is ongoing research into alternative methods for protecting red squirrels (such as the development of a vaccine against squirrel pox virus and a contraceptive for greys), at present the only effective and recognised methods are grey squirrel control by cage trapping or shooting.

We are aware that this can be a sensitive issue for some, but unfortunately we do not have the benefit of time to wait for alternative methods for protecting red squirrels to be perfected. Unless we act now to remove the threat of greys, our red squirrel population in Cumbria will disappear forever.