UCD Vet College confirmed the first case of squirrel pox in the Republic of Ireland over a week ago. Invasive Species Ireland tweeted this sad but not surprising news only today. I strongly suspect that there has been cases of squirrel pox in the Republic for years.
Approximately 4 years ago I came across two dead red squirrels on Caty Gallagher with all the symptoms. Not a pretty sight. The bodies are covered with blisters and sore swollen eyes. Not dissimilar from myxomatosis symptoms in rabbits. I should have had the initiative to send the bodies to the National Parks and Wildlife Service. Its the grey squirrel that carries the virus but is not susceptible to the disease itself. Squirrel pox is one of the reasons why are native reds are threatened. Whether this news helps conservation of the reds remains to be seen. However, it will raise the awareness of the red squirrel plight.
There are currently various projects and studies occurring throughout Ireland and indeed Northern Ireland. The Forestry Service would appear to be more pro-active unlike its counterpart, Coillte down south. Coillte has been named an major party in the All Ireland Red Squirrel Action Plan. I very much doubt if Irish grey squirrels take any notice when entering Northern Ireland through nice wooded areas along the border. Though we would welcome any reds coming down South! Fair exchange?
Hi there. I live in Toronto, Canada, and earlier this year, my wife, Jean, and I were in Ireland, and we spent some time in the Wicklow Mountains where we came upon your rarely seen Red Squirrel. To us, they actually look somewhat like our Canadian Red squirrels, but boy, do your Reds ever have long ears! We were shocked to learn that your Red squirrels are contracting the pox virus from Grey squirrels, and dying. Here in Toronto, Canada we have far too many Grey squirrels here at our feeders, but further north, near Algonquin Park, Red squirrels are much more common. We feel very lucky to have seen two of your Red squirrels in Ireland, and we have posted some of our pictures and videos I your interested at: http://frametoframe.ca/photo-essay-red-grey-squirrels-canada-ireland
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