Red squirrels: 5,000 volunteers sought to save species – and help kill invasive greys

Wildlife Trusts’ biggest-ever recruitment drive will see volunteers monitor populations, educate children – and bludgeon grey squirrels to death

Patrick Barkham

Friday 24 February 2017 06.01 GMT 

An army of 5,000 volunteers is being sought to save the red squirrel from extinction by monitoring populations, educating children – and bludgeoning grey squirrels to death.

The Wildlife Trusts’ biggest-ever recruitment drive is focused on areas of northern England, north Wales and Northern Ireland where invasive grey squirrels first introduced by the Victorians are driving the retreating red squirrel population to extinction.

More than 2.5 million grey squirrels are continuing to spread north through England and into Scotland, out-competing the 140,000 remaining red squirrels and spreading the squirrelpox virus, which does not affect greys but rapidly kills reds. 

“In most of the UK there are only a handful of refuges left for red squirrels,” said Dr Cathleen Thomas, programme manager of Red Squirrel United, a conservation partnership started in 2015. “Without help, experts predict this beautiful and treasured creature could be extinct within as little as 35 years.”

Volunteers for Red Squirrel United will be asked to monitor red squirrel strongholds in Northumberland, Merseyside, Wales and Northern Ireland, and report any grey squirrels entering these areas. Volunteers will set up camera traps to film squirrel behaviour and teach the public and school children about the way in which greys have rapidly driven the reds to extinction across southern Britain since 1945.

Continued 

Badger cull is ill-conceived and irresponsible according to the Badger Trust

Whilst the Government has sanctioned a badger cull, Wildlife Trusts are pressing ahead with a vaccination campaign. 

Wildlife Trust bolsters vaccination programme

February 2013. The Coalition's decision to press ahead with two pilot culls - at a time when more new research has challenged assumptions about the badger's role in bTB--shows contempt for public and scientific opinion, says the Badger Trust.

"Thousands of healthy badgers will die or be wounded in a night-time fusillade of rifle fire that will kill and wound and put members of the public at real risk," says Badger Trust chairman David Williams.

Minimal reduction in TB over 9 years
"And for what? At best a minimal reduction in bovine TB levels over nine years, a time span which could see huge advances in vaccination-for cattle and badgers-and the emergence of a scientifically validated bTB control mechanism.

"Owen Paterson has chosen in the past to cherry pick bits of peer-reviewed science in a vain attempt to justify his decision. He is now blundering ahead in the face of yet more research, this time from Durham University, which further undermines his rationale."

Professor Peter Atkins, of the Institute of Hazard, Risk and Resilience, has concluded that a widespread badger cull will not solve the problem of tuberculosis in cattle. He says: "Badgers almost certainly play a part in spreading the disease, but my conclusion is that their impact over the decades has been far less than suggested."

Continued:  http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/news/badger-cull-2013.html

Skokholm Island bought by Wildlife Trust

The Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales has raised the money needed to buy the lighthouse on Skokholm Island. The purchase completes the purchase of the whole island, which lies off the Pembrokeshire coast, by the trust that now aims to turn it into a conservation area. The island is home to a number of rare birds including Storm petrels, Manx shearwaters and the Pembrokeshire parrots, or puffins.

The appeal was launched in Autumn 2011 and raised £150,000 within four months, allowing the Wildlfife Trust to buy the land and lighthouse. The trust have now taken over the ownership of lighthouse from Trinity who previously owned the building. They hope it will secure the future of the important area for rare sea bird colonies.

The Wildlife Trust now aims to raise a further £100,000 to convert the lighthouse into accommodation so that visitors can stay on the island, and to install a bird observatory on the island.

With thousands of sea birds, including a significant population of storm petrels and the densest colony of Manx shearwaters in the world, it was of paramount importance that we purchased the last bit of the island's jigsaw. When we were offered the opportunity to buy the last bit of the island we knew we could not risk it going into private ownership for fear of risking the precious cliffs and their stunning wildlife. We were amazed by the generosity of the people of Wales in helping us save this important site.

– SARAH KESSELL, WILDLIFE TRUST OF SOUTH AND WEST WALES

In July 2010, the Wildlife Trust was contacted by Trinity House, owners of the lighthouse on the island and a significant portion of land around it. Trinity House were in the process of replacing the traditional light with a modern beacon, which needs very little maintenance and therefore allows them to consider selling the lighthouse and land around it.

http://www.itv.com/news/wales/2012-05-16/skokholm-island-bought-by-wildlife-trust/