Bid to save red squirrels expands to North-east

Published on Monday 8 December 2008 21:08

A GOVERNMENT-led campaign to protect red squirrels from the relentless advance of their American cousin, the grey squirrel, is to be launched next year in the reds' stronghold in the north-east of Scotland.

Earlier this year a series of no-go zones for grey squirrels were established across the south of Scotland in the first phase of a drive to protect Scotland's indigenous red squirrels from the greys.

The grey, which is larger and more aggressive than the red, also carries the squirrel-pox virus which does not affect them but is deadly to red squirrels.

Mike Russell, the environment minister, yesterday announced that the scheme is to be expanded next February in a three-year drive against grey squirrel colonies in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire.

The campaign will involve Scottish Natural Heritage, the Scottish Wildlife Trust, Forestry Commission Scotland and Scottish Rural Property and Business Association.

Mr Russell warned: "We have only a short time to save the red squirrel from the brink of extinction."

Mel Tonkin, the project officer with the Saving Red Squirrels project, said: "

We have got to focus control in key areas where it is going to make difference.

"In the North-east in particular, we want and try and get rid of all the grey squirrels from the area because they are like a colony of grey squirrels behind the front line."