In north east Scotland grey squirrels are spreading from Aberdeen city centre outwards along the Dee and the Don.  Grey squirrels are an invasive species and they were introduced to Aberdeen, as well as other parts of Scotland, at the turn of the 19th Century. 

It has recently been reported that grey squirrels are spreading further west towards Cairngorms National Park.  Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels (SSRS), would like to confirm that, drawing information from the Scottish Squirrel Survey, the only grey squirrels ever recorded for the National Park were at Braemar, well within the National Park boundary in 2006; with a handful of other sightings in and at the edge of the National Park near Strathdon and Logie Coldstone between 2001 and 2005. However this does not indicate that grey squirrels have colonised the National Park area, and it is likely that these individuals were controlled by local people. Currently the nearest established populations of grey squirrels are at Banchory and Alford.

Dr Mel Tonkin, Project Manager for SSRS, explained: 

“The red squirrels of the Cairngorms National Park are not under an immediate threat from the spread of grey squirrels, thanks to the control efforts by local landowners, Forestry Commission Scotland and Scottish Natural Heritage over the last few years. However, grey squirrels continue to spread towards the Cairngorms from the populations in Aberdeen.  Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels is a partnership project between the Scottish Wildlife Trust, Scottish Natural Heritage, Forestry Commission Scotland, and the Scottish Rural Property and Business Association which will work across the region to protect red squirrels through habitat improvement and grey squirrel control.  In Aberdeenshire, our control efforts will focus on establishing a perimeter around Aberdeen to halt the spread of greys across Deeside and Donside, as well as protecting existing pockets of red squirrels within the city centre and establishing areas to allow for their expansion.”  

***Ends***

For more information, please contact:
Nicola McGovern
PR Officer, Scottish Wildlife Trust
0131 312 4742

Notes to Editors
• Since  2000, the following grey squirrels have been sighted in or near the Cairngorms boundary are :
2001/2    2 different sightings near Logie Coldstone. (Between Dee and Don) (in NP)
2005       3 sightings near Strathdon (R Don)(2 in NP)
2005       2 sightings at Dinnet Oakwood (R Dee, outside NP boundary)
2004/7    5 sightings at Aboyne (R Dee, outside NP boundary)
             2006       1 sighting near Braemar (R Dee, well inside NP)
• Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels aims to stop the decline of red squirrel populations in key areas of Scotland north of the Central Belt 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 and the Scottish Rural Property and Business Association. It is part of Scotland’s Species Action Framework, which sets out a strategic approach to species management in Scotland.” For more information, visit www.swt.org.uk. 
• The Scottish Wildlife Trust (SWT) is a registered charity. It is the largest voluntary body working for all the wildlife of Scotland, representing more than 33,000 members who care for wildlife and the environment. SWT seeks to raise public awareness of threatened habitats and species and manages over 120 wildlife reserves Scotland-wide. www.swt.org.uk
• Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) is the Scottish Government’s statutory advisor on the conservation, enhancement, enjoyment, understanding and sustainable use of the natural heritage. For further information on SNH, please visit www.snh.org.uk.  SNH is a funding partner of the project. 
• SNH is currently holding a public consultation inviting the public to feedback on a draft strategy for protection Scotland’s red squirrel through targeted grey squirrel control.  The project plan of SSRS is based on this SNH strategy and public feedback may result in planning amendments.  For more information visit http://www.snh.org.uk/strategy/sr-red_squirrels.asp
• Forestry Commission Scotland (FCS) serves as the forestry directorate of the Scottish Government, advising on and implementing forestry policy and managing the national forest estate.  FCS is ensuring that the national forest estate plays its part in delivering the aims of project Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels.
• The Scottish Rural Property and Business Association (SRPBA) is the leading representative body for all land and rural property owners and land-based businesses in Scotland.  It is a membership organisation comprising rural entrepreneurs, individuals and businesses that operate in rural Scotland.  www.srpba.com
• Red Squirrels in South Scotland Project (RSSS) works to stem the spread of pox carrying grey squirrels in south Scotland for the protection of red squirrels and is the sister project to SSRS.  Squirrelpox is a virus fatal to red squirrels but harmless to the grey squirrels which carry and spread it.  Grey squirrels migrating north from Cumbria are bringing squirrelpox to Scotland.  The work of RSSS is therefore essential to Scotland’s red squirrel population as a whole and to maintain southern Scotland as a stronghold for our native red. RSSS has been conducting and promoting grey squirrel control since 2000. www.redsquirrels.org.uk. 
• Grampian Squirrel Group has exisited for about 9 years in various forms and throughout that time has been working to help protect the red squirrel in Grampian from its grey cousin and envirommental degradation. It consists of a dedicated group of volunteers who have been helping to promote the red squirrels plight and to recruit like minded people to conduct formal surveys in red habitat. www.grampiansquirrelgroup.co.uk. 
• The Red Squirrel Survival Trust (RSST), whose Patron is HRH The Prince of Wales, is a UK charity established to ensure the conservation and protection of the red squirrel in the UK. RSST works in partnership with dedicated and knowledgeable local groups and projects around the country.  RSST is providing support to the North East component of the Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels (SSRS) project. This is part of RSST’s wider scheme to protect the red squirrels of Scotland – RSST also supports RSSS.
• In addition to contributions from the Project Partners, the work of the Savings Scotland’s Red Squirrels project in the North East is currently funded by LEADER, the Aberdeen Greenspace Trust and the Red Squirrel Survival Trust.
• LEADER is an innovative rural development programme which aims to improve the quality of life and economic prosperity in rural communities through locally driven rural development initiatives and projects.  In Aberdeenshire, LEADER is delivered by the Rural Aberdeenshire LAG to rural areas and communities with populations of up to 5,000.  The Rural Aberdeenshire LAG is a Public/Private partnership comprising fourteen member organisations.  Rural Aberdeenshire LEADER will focus on two key themes, namely Revitalising Communities and Progressive Rural Economy.  The priorities the Rural Aberdeenshire LAG Strategy is focusing on include: Sustainable Communities; Sustainable Energy; Innovative Value Added Products and Markets; Sustainable Tourism Development; Innovative Micro Enterprise; Versatile Rural Workforce; Conservation of the rural environment. 
• Aberdeen Greenspace Trust Limited works with individuals, communities, businesses and organisations in and around the city of Aberdeen to develop access, increase biodiversity, carry out landscape improvements and provide information and interpretation. The trust is supported by Aberdeen City Council, Forestry Commission Scotland and Scottish Natural Heritage, all of whom nominate Directors to the trust. The company is enrolled as an Environmental Body with ENTRUST (Environmental Trust Scheme Regulatory Body), the government’s Landfill Community Fund Regulator.