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04/04/2011
Red Squirrel Faces New Threat
Northern Ireland's already dwindling red squirrel population was dealt another blow with the recent discovery of a fatal squirrel disease.
The infected red squirrels were first spotted by members of the Tollymore Red Squirrel Group.
This marks the first recorded instance of a red squirrel dying from this disease.
Their population is already under extreme pressure as a result of the population explosion of the grey squirrel.
The decline of red squirrels in the UK is blamed primarily on the effects of squirrel pox as well as the loss of habitat and competition from grey squirrels.
A spokesperson for the Forest Service, which is a member of the NI Squirrel Forum commented: "We are hoping that the early detection of the disease by the Tollymore Red Squirrel Group will help to limit the impact of this outbreak. We are continuing to work with NIEA and the Tollymore Red Squirrel Group on the implementation of control measures."
The DOE are asking the public to be vigilant and immediately report any red squirrels showing signs of the disease to the NIEA wildlife team or to a member of the NI Squirrel forum.
(JG/GK)
The infected red squirrels were first spotted by members of the Tollymore Red Squirrel Group.
This marks the first recorded instance of a red squirrel dying from this disease.
Their population is already under extreme pressure as a result of the population explosion of the grey squirrel.
The decline of red squirrels in the UK is blamed primarily on the effects of squirrel pox as well as the loss of habitat and competition from grey squirrels.
A spokesperson for the Forest Service, which is a member of the NI Squirrel Forum commented: "We are hoping that the early detection of the disease by the Tollymore Red Squirrel Group will help to limit the impact of this outbreak. We are continuing to work with NIEA and the Tollymore Red Squirrel Group on the implementation of control measures."
The DOE are asking the public to be vigilant and immediately report any red squirrels showing signs of the disease to the NIEA wildlife team or to a member of the NI Squirrel forum.
(JG/GK)
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