Bug may wipe out red squirrels
Jul 19 2006
By Emma Gunby And Graham Davies, Daily Post
A DEADLY virus could wipe out Merseyside's rare red squirrels, an expert warned last night.
The warning came after vets confirmed a red squirrel had died from the squirrel pox virus in Ainsdale which is carried by the more common grey squirrels but does not affect them.
The red squirrel has no immunity to the disease.
Steve White, conservation officer at the Lancashire Wildlife Trust, said: "It is very worrying, but the discovery of this disease is not always disastrous and we hope we will be able to contain it.
The dead squirrel was found in a back garden a few miles from the National Trust red squirrel reserve at Formby Point.
Conservationists are monitoring the situation and calling for the humane culling of grey squirrels to stop an epidemic. They are asking members of the public to contact them if they spot grey squirrels in their gardens, as well as sick or dead red squirrels.
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And they are urging people who feed red squirrels in their gardens to stop doing so, or to disinfect feeding equipment daily to try to stop the spread of disease.
An outbreak of the virus in Ince Blundell, near Crosby, two years ago killed about 50 of the 1,500 red squirrel population.
Mr White said: "If this thing gets hold of the red squirrel population, it will kill them - and kill them very quickly. Our only hope is to get in and get rid of the grey squirrels as quickly as possible."
Grey squirrels outnumber reds by 66 to one.Formby was made a national red squirrel refuge in September.
The other two national refuges are Spadeadam in Keilder Forest and Oasis Holiday Village, Penrith. ¦ ANYONE who spots a sick or dying red squirrel should call wildlife officers on 0151 920 3769.
graham.davies@dailypost.co.uk
Source:
icLiverpool
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