Monday, 14 December 2009Special sites designed to safeguard the red squirrel population are to be established across Scotland.
Forestry Commission Scotland has announced that it will lead the work to plan the strongholds in the north of Scotland and Dumfries and Galloway.
They will be developed in areas free of grey squirrels, which are a threat to the red squirrels.
The 18 special sites will focus on ensuring food supplies for reds, and limiting food preferred by greys.
The red squirrel is one of the most endangered mammals in the UK, and the non-native grey squirrel is its main enemy.
The strongholds to protect the reds will be developed by Forestry Commission Scotland in association with landowners and managers, Scottish Natural Heritage and the Scottish government.
Each site will be at least 2000 hectares in size, which means around 100,000 hectares of the best forest sites in Scotland will be managed as refuges for red squirrels.
They will supplement the existing work to control the spread of greys and the squirrel pox virus they carry.
Welcoming the move, the Environment Minister Roseanna Cunningham said:"Red squirrels are an important and high-profile part of Scotland's biodiversity so it is crucial that we do what we can to safeguard their long-term survival."
The Head of Policy and Advice for Scottish Natural Heritage Ron McDonald said:"Grey squirrels have already displaced red squirrels from most of England and Wales, as well as Scotland's central belt.
"Fortunately much of the north of Scotland and Dumfries and Galloway are still grey-free.
"But with sightings of greys becoming more frequent even in some of these areas, it's essential that we act quickly to protect red squirrels and prevent the greys' further migration."
Forestry Commission Scotland will work with landowners and local communities to finalise stronghold maps and develop suitable management plans in all the proposed 18 locations.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/highlands_and_islands/8412532.stm
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