Patrolling the squirrel frontline

By Giancarlo Rinaldi South of Scotland reporter, BBC Scotland news website

The red and grey squirrels compete for the same food

A small group of control officers has carried out about 650 humane killings along the border between Scotland and England in the past 18 months.

It relies heavily on the local populace to help its bid to block the "main routes of incursion" from the south.

Red Alert South West Scotland is at the frontline of stopping grey squirrels getting into a red squirrel stronghold.

And in the woodlands throughout its area it has now established a total of 13 safe havens.

The south of Scotland is one of a small number of areas in the UK where the reds still thrive.

They are under constant threat, however, from their grey counterparts which compete with them for food.

The grey squirrels also carry the squirrel pox virus which has no effect on them but is fatal for the reds.

Red Alert has been a busy organisation since it was set up some seven years ago.

At this time squirrel pox presents a very localised threat but, without direct action, could rapidly spread throughout Scotland Rhiannon Hatfield Red Alert South West Scotland Red squirrel dies from deadly pox

Its main aim is to raise awareness of conservation issues surrounding the animals and also highlight the impact of habitat loss and disease.

"One of Red Alert's particular concerns is the increasing number of grey squirrels arriving in Dumfries and Galloway," explained Rhiannon Hatfield, from the organisation.

"Not only do these squirrels compete aggressively for food but many of those entering the region from Cumbria carry with them a pox virus that results in very rapid death of the red squirrels into which they come into contact.

"An outbreak of the disease in a population of red squirrels near Lockerbie last year resulted in a number of deaths."

It is for that reason that Red Alert distributes traps to people who are willing to help - after appropriate training - with the "humane control" of grey squirrels.

Two full-time Grey Squirrel Control Officers are also employed by Scottish Natural Heritage to cover the Nith, Annan and Esk river valleys.

What is squirrel pox?

They have killed about 650 squirrels over an 18-month period.

These animals then form the basis of monitoring for squirrel pox in the area.

"At this time squirrel pox presents a very localised threat but, without direct action, could rapidly spread throughout Scotland," Ms Hatfield said.

"The majority of the traps Red Alert has out on loan are located in Annandale, Eskdale and Nithsdale, these being the main routes of incursion and subsequent spread.

"In the past year this voluntary effort has results in close to 130 pioneer grey squirrels being prevented from establishing in Dumfries and Galloway."

A spokeswoman for the Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals said that, on occasions, such action may be necessary.

"While we are opposed to the unnecessary killing of any wild animal we do recognise that in certain situations populations need to be controlled," she said.

"If conservationists deem this to be the case we would expect any cull to be subject to high animal welfare standards."

Population monitored

Advocates for Animals, however, has described the practice as "morally wrong".

A series of "priority woodlands" have now been established in Dumfries and Galloway to provide safe havens for red squirrels.

Working along with forest owners, Red Alert hopes to keep grey squirrels at bay for some time to come.

"This will ensure that the habitat remains favourable for red squirrels for many years to come," Ms Hatfield said.

"To assess the effectiveness of these measures, red squirrel populations are monitored each year."

So far, the population seems to be holding steady against the potential invasion of the greys.

But Red Alert, as its name suggest, will not be letting its guard down any time soon.

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