RSPB Scotland has joined the fight to save the red squirrel from extinction by becoming part of a pioneering project.
The wildlife conservation charity has joined forces with five other charitable, government and landowning bodies in a bid to secure the future of the iconic woodland mammal.
The red squirrel is the UK’s only native squirrel and numbers have declined rapidly since the introduction of grey squirrels from North America in the 19th century.
Since 1952, 95 per cent of red squirrels in England and Wales have been wiped out, and today 75 per cent of the UK’s remaining population is found in Scotland.
However, greys still threaten the existence of the native reds because they compete for food and habitat, and transmit the deadly squirrelpox virus.
The Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels project aims to continue to prevent the spread northwards of grey squirrels and squirrelpox through a programme of grey squirrel control in a zone running coast to coast along the Highland Boundary Fault.
It will also define and map priority areas for red squirrel conservation in south Scotland, and co-ordinate the delivery of the grey squirrel control required to sustain healthy red squirrel populations.
Dr Aileen McLeod, Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform, said: “The numbers of red squirrels in Scotland are increasing and they are now returning to their former habitats.
“This has been most notably in the Borders, Dumfries and Galloway, Ayrshire, and the north-east of Scotland.
“I am delighted that RSPB Scotland are now involved, who will bring a wealth of knowledge to the project.”
Stuart Housden, director of RSPB Scotland, said he was “very impressed” with the work of the project.
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