A grey squirrel control coordinator in southern Scotland has declared that the 'complete extermination' of the species is the sole effective strategy to protect native red squirrels from a deadly virus. This urgent call comes after a recent increase in confirmed squirrelpox cases across the Borders region and other parts of the country.
Bill Ferguson of the Central Borders Red Squirrel Network emphasised that with no vaccine or alternative aid available for red squirrels, the eradication of grey squirrels is the only way to halt the disease's progression. He highlighted that grey squirrels are carriers of the squirrelpox virus, which, while not affecting them, proves fatal to their red counterparts.
Mr. Ferguson acknowledged that the measure might seem extreme to some members of the public, but insisted that the network is guided by scientific evidence. He stated that the elimination of grey squirrels is conducted humanely and is crucial for alleviating the threat to the native red population, which has seen significant decline since the introduction of grey squirrels from North America in the 19th Century.
The public is also being asked to assist in controlling the spread of the virus. Mr. Ferguson advised that any bird feeders used by both red and grey squirrels should be taken down for approximately three weeks, thoroughly disinfected, and then put back out. He also urged estate owners to play their part by actively managing grey squirrel populations on their land.
While a contraceptive for grey squirrels is reportedly under development, intended to lead to a natural decline in their numbers, Mr. Ferguson confirmed that until such a solution becomes widely available, trapping and humane killing remain the primary methods of control. Opponents of culling grey squirrels, however, argue that squirrelpox is just one of several diseases that can affect red squirrels, and that transmission is more likely between red squirrels themselves rather than from greys.