Majority of the population support grey squirrel cull

Published on Monday 9 March 2009 21:13

ALMOST seven out of ten people think grey squirrels should be controlled in the UK, according to a survey.

The poll showed 69 per cent of people thought the grey squirrel should be controlled in order to help protect the native red from extinction.

The survey, commissioned by the European Squirrel Initiative, revealed 75 per cent of people were aware of the damage the grey squirrel was doing, and the threat it posed to reds.

The grey squirrel, which originally came from America, competes with the UK's native red.

The invasive species also carries a pox that is deadly to the red squirrel but leaves their American cousins unharmed.

Miles Barne , chairman of the Initiative, said: "These are encouraging results and show the high awareness and recognition of the threat posed by the grey squirrel.

"It is also encouraging to see that there is a real demand amongst the public to control the grey squirrel in some way to protect our native red."

The survey was carried out by NEMS Market Research.

Scotland is one of the last remaining strongholds for red squirrels in the UK.

A controversial programme to cull the greys is starting in Scotland.