Red squirrel conservation project seeks donations after early successes
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Trees for Life is hoping to raise £22,000 to help with the latest phase of its programme – which has been working to reintroduce the popular mammal to the remote Caledonian Forest woodlands of the north and north-west Highlands.
These isolated pockets of woodland are an ideal habitat for the under-threat species, while their remoteness from other woods creates safe havens – helping to prevent the invasive north American grey squirrel from colonising the area and forcing the reds out.
Trees for Life has already enjoyed success in reintroducing the reds to a number of woodlands since it began its programme three years ago – including areas around Shieldaig, Kinlochewe, Plockton, Inverewe, Attadale, Letterewe and the Reraig peninsula.
Some 140 squirrels have already been released, and now Trees for Life is hoping to release even more into several other areas and is calling on donations to help fund the move.
“Although one of our best-loved wild animals, red squirrels are sadly missing from suitable woodlands across the Highlands,” said Steve Micklewright, Trees for Life’s chief executive.
“They cannot reach these isolated havens on their own, because they avoid crossing large open spaces.
“Every donation will help us reintroduce red squirrels to ideal forest habitats. Returning them to forests safe from grey squirrels will help conserve this charismatic species forever.”
As well as helping to protect the squirrels, the scheme will also help to boost Trees for Life’s work restoring Scotland’s ancient Caledonian Forest.
The animals bury their nuts for winter, but sometimes forget where they have stored all of their seeds. These then germinate and grow into new pine trees – helping to increase the size of the woods.
The red squirrels which are being released are transported from spots in Inverness-shire and Moray.
Only small numbers of animals are removed from any site, leaving the established populations unaffected.
Health checks ensure that only healthy animals are introduced to new areas.
The squirrels are then transported in special hay-lined nest boxes to keep them safe.
Positive community involvement – including local people reporting sightings, monitoring the squirrels, and carrying out supplementary feeding – is also at the heart of the project.
The new red squirrel release sites have yet to be confirmed, but Trees for Life plans to focus on the Morvern peninsula and north of the Dornoch Firth, which will extend the species’ current range.
Red squirrels are threatened by the spread of invasive grey squirrels from the south. Greys are immune to and spread squirrel pox virus, which is lethal to reds. They also out-compete the native reds.
Greys were introduced to the UK in 1870 and now number over three million, compared to just an estimated 120,000 reds in Scotland.
Red squirrel numbers have also been decimated by the reduction of forests to isolated remnants.
To support the appeal, visit www.treesforlife.org.uk/appeal or call 01309 691292.
