His Royal Highness The Prince Charles, Duke of Rothesay, was presented with a handmade red squirrel toy today for Prince George’s first birthday, during a visit to a Perthshire estate to see the effect of successful red squirrel conservation work.
The Duke is Patron of the Scottish Wildlife Trust, which leads the Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels project, and was interested to learn about the experience of Glendelvine Estate, where concerted grey squirrel control has brought the charismatic red squirrel back from the brink. Four years ago, red squirrels were on the verge of disappearing from the area altogether. Now, thanks to the collaboration with the Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels project, red squirrels are locally abundant once again.
The red squirrel is the UK’s only native squirrel and numbers have declined rapidly since the introduction of grey squirrels from North America in the 19th Century. Greys threaten the existence of the native reds because they compete for food and habitat, and transmit the deadly squirrelpox virus. Since 1952, 95% of red squirrels in England and Wales have been wiped out. Today, 75% of the UK’s remaining population is found in Scotland.
To protect the remaining population of red squirrels, population control of the greys is therefore necessary. By working with landowners across the country in a nationally and regionally co-ordinated effort, Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels is tackling the issue on a landscape-scale.
The project aims to safeguard Scotland’s red squirrels by targeting grey squirrels in core areas in the Highlands, Argyll, north east Scotland and northern Tayside and Stirling, as well as in parts of South Scotland.
On a short walk around Glendelvine Estate, His Royal Highness met the owner, Abram Lyle, and the Project Manager of Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels, Mel Tonkin, to hear about the project’s approach to grey squirrel control.
After seeing a grey squirrel trap demonstration, The Duke was presented with a handmade red squirrel as a birthday gift for Prince George. The toy was crafted by a member of the Scottish Wildlife Trust’s staff, Corinne Thompson.
Following the visit, The Duke met volunteers and supporters of the Scottish Wildlife Trust at a reception to celebrate its 50th Anniversary, held at Murthly Castle.
Chairman of the Scottish Wildlife Trust, Allan Bantick, said: “The Scottish Wildlife Trust is extremely grateful to His Royal Highness for making time to see an example of the Trust’s successful red squirrel conservation work. As this year marks the 50th Anniversary of the Scottish Wildlife Trust, a visit from our Patron is even more special.
“This project is vital to ensuring red squirrels are still visible in the landscape in 50 years’ time and can be enjoyed by future generations, including the young Prince George.
“On behalf of the Scottish Wildlife Trust, I would like to thank His Royal Highness for the opportunity to showcase the dedicated work of the staff, volunteers and landowners involved in the Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels project.”
Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels is a project to stop the decline of Scotland’s core red squirrel populations, to protect squirrels from squirrelpox disease in South Scotland and to improve conditions for viable red squirrel populations across Scotland. It is a partnership project between the Scottish Wildlife Trust, Scottish Natural Heritage, Forestry Commission Scotland, Scottish Land and Estates, and the Red Squirrel Survival Trust.
Click here for more information on Saving Scotland's Red squirrels