Squirrel pox confirmed at Formby red squirrel stronghold

Squirrel pox has been confirmed at Formby on the Sefton coast, mainland England’s most southerly red squirrel stronghold, Lancashire Wildlife Trust announced on Monday. The virus is carried without symptoms by non-native grey squirrels but is fatal to reds, and the last major outbreak, in 2008, cut Formby’s population by an estimated 80 per cent.

How serious is the outbreak?

Most red squirrels that contract the virus die within two weeks, and Formby’s importance makes the confirmation especially serious: the reserve is one of England’s most important remaining red strongholds, in a country where the species has been pushed to the margins by the grey.

Molly Frost, red squirrel project officer at Lancashire Wildlife Trust, said: “Squirrel pox outbreaks are a serious threat to our already vulnerable red squirrel population. Using feeders may seem like a kind way to support nature, but they are dangerous when a virus is present. We want red squirrels to be around for generations to come, and our staff and volunteers are doing all we can to protect them from local extinction. We need the support of our community to help us.”

What should people in the area do?

The trust is urging people in Formby and the surrounding area to remove garden feeders immediately, because shared feeding surfaces are where the virus passes from greys to reds. Scattering small amounts of high-water fruit such as apple or melon is suggested instead, along with daily cleaning of bird baths with a wildlife-safe disinfectant. Sightings of sick reds, or of greys in the area, can be reported to the trust’s red squirrel team on 07590 745862.

Can grey squirrel control stop the spread?

Grey control is central to the response. The trust runs a trap loan scheme and is appealing for volunteers in the Formby area, asking anyone with a trap who has not seen a grey squirrel in the past month to get in touch.

Heather Harris, communications officer with the Red Squirrel Recovery Network, said: “Grey squirrel fertility control could reduce the risk of disease transmission by reducing grey squirrel numbers and their movement into red squirrel areas. The Red Squirrel Recovery Network is supporting its development by the Animal and Plant Health Agency, funded by the UK Squirrel Accord and supporters, and supported by Defra.” She added: “The future is promising, but Formby’s red squirrels need our help today. Without continued conservation action, populations like Formby’s could be lost before this vital new tool is ready.”

What happens next

An estimated 287,000 red squirrels remain in Britain, around three quarters of them in Scotland, which makes every English stronghold count. The trust’s full guidance is at lancswt.org.uk, and volunteers for the trap loan scheme can call 07590 745862.