“We don’t know for certain what these squirrels may be suffering from as red squirrels can be affected by a number of illnesses, especially during the winter, but as a precaution we are now asking all those living in Bridge of Allan to take immediate action and protect the local red population by taking in all wildlife feeders for the next month to help prevent any possible spread of disease.
Members of the public have twice reported seeing lethargic and sick looking red squirrels in or near Mine Wood in Bridge of Allan near Stirling, raising concerns the animals could have squirrelpox.
The first known outbreak of the virus in Scotland was in 2007 near Lockerbie, Dumfries and Galloway, and in spring last year the first death from squirrelpox of a red squirrel north of the central belt was confirmed in Dunfermline, Fife.
“We are also asking the local community to keep a close eye out for, and take photos of, any sick or dead red squirrels in the area and email these over to us at [email protected].”.
The country’s red squirrel population is under threat from the spread of invasive non-native grey squirrels, which were first introduced to the UK from North America by the Victorians.
