Red squirrel conservation has been a priority for some time as Scotland supports around 75% of the UK population of these iconic creatures. Less than 121,000 red squirrels remain north of the border.

 

The Scottish Wildlife Trust (SWT) in partnership with the National Park, Forestry Commission Scotland (FCS), and Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) are working hard to offer some protection with their long-term benefit in mind.

 

Lewis Pate is the Project Officer for Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels (SSRS) covering the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs area and is keen to hear from anyone living within the National Park and beyond interested in red squirrel conservation.

 

Working to support land owners and forest managers is a key part of the role. In addition to improving habitat for red squirrels and co-ordinating grey squirrel control to protect red squirrels from further displacement. The project is working hard in south Scotland to prevent a potentially disastrous northward spread of squirrel pox. This virus is carried by greys and is fatal to reds within 15 days of infection.

 

Speaking about the project Lewis said: “We are establishing a co-ordinated network of landowners, householders, volunteers and project staff all working together to help red squirrels. If we continue with this essential work I believe we will prove targeted grey squirrel control is an effective measure to protect our remaining populations of indigenous red squirrels. If we do nothing, it is only a matter of time before red squirrels will all but disappear from our landscape and that cannot be allowed to happen.”

 

Lewis is working with the National Park Authority to help landowners access funding for red squirrel conservation work through the Scotland Rural Development Programme (SRDP) and give guidance on forest management for the benefit of red squirrels.

 

A trap loan scheme, with professional support and training is available for landowners and householders in key target areas in the National Park and beyond.

 

You can get involved by volunteering to survey areas local to you or by reporting your squirrel sightings at: www.swt.org.uk/wildlife/squirrelsighting

 

For further information contact: