Virus killing off Britain's red squirrels

EDINBURGH - The dwindling British population of red squirrels is being threatened by a virus that can kill them within 15 days.

Squirrel pox is being spread by grey squirrels, which are immune to the virus, and it is infecting red squirrels living in Scotland.

Conservationists say the estimated 160,000 population of red squirrels in Britain will almost certainly decline, since it has been noticed the virus is being spread by grey squirrels moving north from Cumbria.

Red squirrels with the virus will suffer skin ulcers, lesions and scabs, with swelling and discharge around the eyes, mouth, feet and genitals.

Grey squirrels are seldom harmed by the virus but red squirrels have no immunity and usually die within 15 days.

Scientists say it is the first evidence of squirrel pox virus in southern Scotland and it has serious implications for the endangered population of red squirrels.

Infected animals resemble rabbits with myxomatosis and are sometimes found shivering and lethargic.

Prior to the introduction of greys to Britain from the United States in 1876, the red squirrel was common and widespread in deciduous and mixed forests.

But the greys have proved to be an ecological disaster and all that now remains of the reds is a relatively small population of 160,000 in the UK, three-quarters of which are confined to Scotland.

- INDEPENDENT