Red squirrel goals set out by experts

Key actions to support red squirrel populations in Scotland have been identified by experts from across the country. 

Putting their recommendations into action would support the conservation and management of the iconic species and aid woodland biodiversity, according to a report from the group. 

In an expert workshop on health and disease in Scottish squirrels, representatives including wildlife vets, organisations including the Moredun Research Institute, Scottish Wildlife Trust, the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and the Roslin Institute recommended the formation of a squirrel conservation research network to collaborate on monitoring and researching the species.  

This group could develop and manage a centralised information hub, to share information such as monitoring protocols, research data, and expertise. This could be extended to the whole of the UK in future, the report suggests.  

In addition, a research network could enable enhanced interdisciplinary studies, facilitated by the information hub. The group could also link with the UK Squirrel Accord, a partnership which seeks to protect red squirrels. 

Workshop participants also supported enhanced monitoring of the red squirrel population, including disease monitoring, together with greater sample acquisition – with more resourcing of post-mortem examinations of red squirrels, and better understanding of disease threats at the population level in reds and greys. 

Additional funding is essential to support this work, experts say, and notable progress could be made even with relatively low-level but long-term funding to maintain an expert network, hub, and enhanced health monitoring activities. 

 Representatives from NatureScot, Heriot-Watt University, National Museums Scotland, Forest Research and the University of Liverpool also took part in the meeting, which was supported by the Moray Endowment Fund.