Scotland to battle grey squirrel invaders
Scotland's native red squirrel population is to benefit from a £1.3m investment aimed at preventing it falling to the invading forces of its North American grey cousin.
According to the BBC, the country boasts around 121,000 reds - representing 75 per cent of the UK total. The species is under increaing pressure from the estimated 200,000 to 300,000 greys which aggressively compete for food and carry the squirrel pox virus "which can kill reds in about 14 days".
The Saving Scotland's Red Squirrels (SSRS) plan - an initiative involving Forestry Commission Scotland (FCS), Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), the Scottish Rural Property and Business Association (SRPBA) and the Scottish Wildlife Trust (SWT) - will "develop habitats in which the red squirrel can flourish" and also "try to control the greys".
