Following two reports by members of the public of lethargic and sick looking red squirrels in/near Mine Wood in Bridge of Allan, Scottish Wildlife Trust partnership project Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels is asking people living in the area to be vigilant and take key preventative actions.
Gail Turney, Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels (SSRS) Programme Manager, Scottish Wildlife Trust, said: “We are concerned regarding this latest news and are extremely grateful to those members of the public who have brought it to our attention. We don’t know for certain what these squirrels may be suffering from as red squirrels can be affected by a number of illnesses especially during the winter, but as a precaution we are now asking all those living in Bridge of Allan to take immediate action and protect the local red population by taking in all wildlife feeders for the next month to help prevent any possible spread of disease.
“We are also asking the local community to keep a close eye out for, and take photos of, any sick or dead red squirrels in the area and email these over to us at squirrels@scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk.”
Squirrelpox is a virus carried by grey squirrels which does not affect them but can be rapidly lethal when passed to red squirrels. Symptoms include ulcers, scabs and weeping lesions on the face, paws and genitalia, all of which can prevent reds from eating, drinking or moving. As a result, it is usually fatal within two weeks and an outbreak can cause local populations to crash.
The first known outbreak of squirrelpox in Scotland occurred in 2007 near Lockerbie and since then the disease has arisen in various red squirrel populations across south Scotland. In spring 2024 the first death of a red squirrel north of Scotland’s Central Belt was confirmed in Dunfermline following a post-mortem by the University of Edinburgh’s Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies. The spread of squirrelpox poses a major threat to Scotland’s more northerly red squirrels.
People can report their sightings of both red and grey squirrels at scottishsquirrels.org.uk, along with emailing photos of sick reds to squirrels@scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk. Details for how to post carcasses to the Vet School can also be found on the site along with information on cleaning wildlife feeders with an anti-viral solution once taken in. Although squirrelpox is not considered harmful to humans, anyone who sees a sick red squirrel is advised not to approach it, but instead contact the project immediately for advice.
Scotland’s red squirrel populations are under threat from the spread of the invasive non-native grey squirrel which, along with carrying the squirrelpox virus, also outcompetes red squirrels for food and habitat. Greys were first introduced to the UK from North America by the Victorians and have since displaced red squirrels in most of England and Wales, with about 80% of the UK’s total remaining population residing in Scotland today.
Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels is a partnership project led by the Scottish Wildlife Trust and supported by the Scottish Government’s Nature Restoration Fund, managed by NatureScot.