Red squirrel faces virus threat from grey interloper in battle for survival

A VIRUS carried by the grey squirrel, which is dramatically increasing its numbers, poses a serious threat to the survival of the country’s native red squirrel population.

This was revealed yesterday in a report that warned that grey squirrels are also presenting a threat to broadleaf woodlands because they strip the bark off trees.

Forestry Minister Mary Wallace launched the report, which contains the results of a new survey on the present distribution of red and grey squirrels at a function in Dublin’s Botanic Gardens.

The report, published by COFORD, the National Council for Forest Research and Development, called for the protection of the red squirrel and for the control of grey squirrel populations.

It noted that red squirrels, although their distribution is somewhat fragmented, are still common in many parts of the country, particularly in the south and west.

Unfortunately, as a result of the presence of the grey squirrel, they have virtually disappeared from a number of counties, notably Meath, Westmeath, Louth, Carlow and Kilkenny.

The survey results show that the frontier of grey squirrel distribution has increased by about 30% in the past decade. Most apparent is the spread into the eastern counties of Antrim, Wicklow and Wexford. Grey squirrels are also now present in east Limerick and south Tipperary, and for the first time have been confirmed on the west side of the River Shannon. They now occupy more than half the land area of Ireland.

Ms Wallace said the report is a useful and timely publication, given the need to not only prevent the grey squirrel from causing serious damage to commercial broad-leaved woodlands, including amenity and urban woodlands, but to address the conservation of the native red squirrel.

“The survey also provides a very good basis for targeted measures to restore red squirrel populations,” she said.

Ms Wallace said a pilot project is being undertaken, with funding from the Forest Service of her own department, on the protection of the broadleaf estate and matters relating to the red and grey squirrels.