Scottish Squirrelpox Threat
Deadly Squirrelpox Confirmed in Scottish Red Squirrels; Public Urged to Remove Feeders
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Squirrelpox has killed a red squirrel in Dollar, Scotland, marking only the second time the deadly virus has been detected north of the central belt, according to The National. A post-mortem examination of an adult male red squirrel confirmed the positive result, raising urgent concern among wildlife groups trying to protect Scotland's endangered red squirrel population.
The Saving Scotland's Red Squirrels (SSRS) project is now urging people in the Dollar area to remove wildlife feeders from their gardens for at least two weeks. The goal is to stop the virus from spreading further, Daily Echo reported.
Grey Squirrels Likely Carried the Virus North
Squirrelpox is harmless to grey squirrels, but it is almost always fatal to red squirrels. Greys carry the virus without getting sick, then pass it to reds through shared food sources or close contact. Wildlife experts believe grey squirrels spreading into Dollar from the west are the likely source of this outbreak, The Argus reported.
Grey squirrels have been moving north from grey-only areas of the main belt. Their expansion into red squirrel territory puts native populations at serious risk. Red squirrels typically die within days of catching squirrelpox, with no effective treatment available.
Wildlife Groups Ask Public to Remove Garden Feeders Now
SSRS is asking residents near Dollar to take down any garden bird or squirrel feeders immediately. Shared feeding stations are one of the fastest ways the virus can spread between animals. Keeping feeders up raises the chance that infected grey squirrels will come into contact with healthy red ones.
The Eastern Lowlands Red Squirrel Group (ELRSG) is also asking the public to report any sick or dead red squirrels they find. Early reporting helps wildlife teams track the spread of the virus and respond quickly, according to Evening News 24.
Scotland's Red Squirrels Already Fighting for Survival
Red squirrels are a protected species in Scotland. They have been pushed out of most of England and Wales by grey squirrels, which were introduced from North America in the 1870s. Scotland now holds around 75% of the UK's entire red squirrel population, making outbreaks like this one especially alarming.
The SSRS partnership project works to control grey squirrel numbers and monitor red squirrel health across Scotland. This confirmed case in Dollar is a reminder of how fragile the red squirrel's foothold remains, Ipswich Star noted. Wildlife teams are now on alert in the surrounding area.
What the Public Can Do to Help Red Squirrels
Beyond removing feeders, residents near Dollar are being asked to stay alert. Anyone who spots a red squirrel showing signs of illness — such as skin lesions, lethargy, or swollen eyes — should report it to the ELRSG straight away. Fast action can make a real difference in slowing the spread, according to Ham & High.
Wildlife groups stress that public involvement is essential. Red squirrel conservation in Scotland depends heavily on community volunteers and local reports. Removing feeders for just two weeks costs little but could protect an entire local population from being wiped out.
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