Single case of squirrel pox raises alarm for our reds
Britain’s native red squirrels are susceptible to squirrel pox, which is carried by the invasive greys.
Conservation groups working to protect red squirrels say they are “devastated” after an outbreak of squirrel pox was confirmed in Northumberland.
Last month, volunteers with Cramlington and District Red Squirrel Group spotted a number of reds showing symptoms of squirrel pox and a carcass sent to the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) for analysis was confirmed to be carrying the disease. On 31 December 2024, Defra confirmed the single case of the disease in the Blyth area of Northumberland.
Ian Glendinning, chair of Northern Red Squirrels — which represents volunteer conservation groups — said: “If the pox spreads it could be curtains for them, which would be absolutely devastating after the efforts volunteers have put in.”
In Scotland, questions have also been raised over protections for red squirrels after MSP Maurice Golden queried the “quality of government data” surrounding invasive greys. The Conservative accused the Scottish government of “complacency” and asked for an estimate of red squirrel numbers across four “priority areas” where grey squirrels are controlled.
SNP’s Climate Action Minister Alasdair Allan responded that £1million is going to Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrel project in 2025 and 2026 to enable “a concentrated effort to eradicate the last remaining isolated population of grey squirrels in the north-east of Scotland… found in the city of Aberdeen”.
Mr Allan was, however, unable to confirm which parts of the four priority areas still have grey squirrel populations.
