'Refuges' to protect red squirrels

Published on Monday 14 December 2009 19:38

A SERIES of "strongholds" to help protect red squirrels from their grey cousins will be set up across Scotland.

Plans for 18 "refuge" sites for the reds were greeted with "strong" approval by land managers in a consultation led by the Forestry Commission.

Under the plans, an estimated 100,000 hectares of forest will be set aside for the reds in an effort to increase their numbers.

They are one of the most threatened animals in the UK, with the biggest problems coming from greys, which carry the fatal virus squirrel pox.

The virus is harmless to grey squirrels, but is deadly to reds, condemning them to a lingering death by starvation over 15 days.

The greys have already displaced red squirrels from most of England and Wales, and the 120,000 reds living in Scotland now account for 75 per cent of the UK population.

The new refuges will be managed to create environments that are preferred by red squirrels, but shunned by greys.

Cone-bearing conifers – the preferred food source of the red – will be planted, while the grey-favoured oak, beech, chestnut and hazel trees will be avoided.

The scheme, which has been developed by Forestry Commission Scotland alongside landowners and managers, Scottish Natural Heritage and the Scottish Government, could also include a grey-free "buffer zone" around the protected sites to help the reds to resist grey incursions.

A consultation on the plans was carried out between March and June. Of the 42 responses, including those from stronghold managers and land managers, there was a "high level" of support for the scheme.

But concerns were raised about the environmental impact of discouraging certain types of trees from growing in their native woodland.

A stakeholder group will be formed early in the new year, which will develop guidance on implementing the scheme for land managers.