Red squirrels have expanded their range across the Highlands by more than a quarter after a 10-year reintroduction programme moved hundreds to new homes. The species once came close to extinction in Britain when foresters killed them as pests and their natural habitat was destroyed. A deadly virus carried by invasive grey squirrels has hampered their recovery.
It's nice to see some good news. And a native species recovering from an influx of disease-ridden invaders gradually enchoaching on their last strogholscertainly fits that bill. Even if the 'Guardian' would go into a fit of the vapours if the same scheme was proposed for white English people.
Scotland is the red’s heartland, home to 80% of the UK’s population of about 200,000. The reintroduction project, run by the rewilding charity Trees for Life, has established more than a dozen thriving new sites, from Ullapool to Morvern to Lairg.
I've still never seen one in the wild. Perhaps this gives me a better chance in future.
2 comments:
Dont forger the beneficial role of predators.
Pine Martens are also spreading back due to less persecution, the Martens will prreferentially predate the greys as an easier meal, greys being bigger/heavier and spending more time on the ground.
Rumour has it that some red squirrels had placards saying "grey squirrels welcome" when they first arrived
Jaded
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