Scottish Forests Could Save Red Squirrel From Extinction

kalila courban

Aug 6, 2021 3:00 PM EDT

We came across a story today that was both heartwarming and scientific! One of our favorite combinations when it comes to animal content. Let's learn a bit about how Scottish forests can save red squirrels from extinction! "Twenty forest strongholds in Scotland would save the red squirrel from extinction even if grey squirrels were to colonize the whole of Britain, according to research. Since their introduction from North America by Victorian enthusiasts, grey squirrels have pushed red squirrels out of much of the country… Grey squirrels have not yet penetrated much of the Highlands but new modelling led by Prof Andy White, a mathematical biologist at Heriot-Watt University, suggests that there are at least 20 havens across Scotland where viable populations of reds would remain even if the greys continued to march northwards." Story Via The Guardian.

This is awesome news for red squirrels! Even if the greys continue to expand, the viable populations of red will remain! There are estimated to be only 160,000 red squirrels remaining in the UK, 75% of which are in Scotland. Without concerted and effective action to protect them, the red squirrels that remain in Scotland could disappear within our lifetime. We support all efforts made to save the red squirrels! Anything less would be a blow to our earth's beautiful diversity.

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"This is great news for red squirrels," said White. "When I started this research 10 years ago I was pretty pessimistic about the outcome for red squirrels in Scotland. Now I'm very optimistic. The work done by conservation bodies has prevented the spread of grey squirrels beyond certain boundaries over the last decade." Via The Guardian.
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"The research, which is published in Nature Conservation, identifies havens within existing areas of non-native plantations, such as Eskdalemuir Forest in Dumfries and Galloway in southern Scotland and Newtyle Forest in Moray in the north. Ironically, the native red squirrel can survive in non-native plantations of species such as sitka spruce that are inhospitable for the broadleaved or mixed woodland-loving grey squirrel." Via The Guardian.
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