Burning Issue: Is killing grey squirrels a legitimate way to help protect our native reds?

Published on Sunday 2 November 2008 20:59

Yes MURDO FRASER, Conservative MSP

THE sad reality is that grey squirrels and red squirrels cannot co-exist. Where we have red squirrels and greys encroach on their territory what will happen inevitably is that the reds will be driven out because the greys are larger and more aggressive feeders.

Moreover a relatively new development has been the introduction of the squirrel pox virus, which has only appeared in Scotland within the past year. Squirrel pox is a disease which is carried by grey squirrels but does not appear to harm them, but which is fatal to the red squirrel in a very short space of time. Where we have squirrel pox it will be spread by the grey population and that wipes out the reds.

The red squirrel is an iconic native species in Scotland. It is also endangered and numbers have been under threat for some years due to the expanding grey squirrel population and in particular the latest threat of squirrel pox.

The grey squirrel was introduced to these islands from America in the 19th century and its numbers have increased dramatically. Changing habitat, particularly among woodlands, have favoured the grey squirrel at the detriment of the red. This is likely to continue unless there is intervention to reverse the process.

While the thought of culling grey squirrels will be unpalatable to some, the sad reality is if we wish to see the red squirrel preserved there really is no alternative at present but to cull to reduce grey numbers. In the long run I call for research into immunocontraceptives for grey squirrels, which would reduce their numbers without the need for culling, but the science at present does not allow that to be carried out effectively .

No

Libby Anderson,

Political director, Advocates for Animals

CULLING wild animals is inhumane and far too often sold as a quick fix to a complex ecological issue. Grey squirrels are simply animals surviving successfully in an environment where they were introduced by humans in the first place. Of course we want to help reds thrive, but – apart from the serious ethical and welfare concerns – all evidence indicates culling does not work. Culls were carried out in parts of England last century, and the greys simply came back.

Where intensive killing removes a local population, a new population will simply move in and fill up the vacuum. Managing forest habitats to favour reds over greys would be more sustainable.

Killing grey squirrels is carried out without animal welfare protocols. In most "wildlife management", mammals are left alone during the breeding season, while the young are dependent on their mothers for milk. But there is no close season for squirrels, meaning for every lactating mother that is killed, a litter of kits will starve to death – a cruel way to kill helpless young animals.

Squirrel pox is a horrible disease and it is right to try to limit its spread and lethal effect on the reds. But if science can provide a more humane method than culling, we must focus on that.

There are positive developments: research has pointed to reds possibly being able to develop immunity to the virus, as greys have done. The Moredun Institute in Edinburgh is also about to start work on developing a vaccine. Those who aim to wipe out greys by persecution are engaging in vigilante action against wildlife that belongs to us all.