Investigation into Red Squirrel Sickness in Scottish Borders
Tests are currently being conducted to determine the cause of illness affecting several red squirrels observed in the Scottish Borders region.
To date, six reports have been received from the Venlaw area near Peebles, along with one report from the nearby Drumzelier location.
One deceased squirrel has been collected and is undergoing testing in Edinburgh to ascertain whether squirrelpox—a disease transmitted by grey squirrels but fatal to red squirrels—is the cause.
Expert Commentary on Squirrelpox and Its Impact
Allan Johnstone, representing the Tweeddale Red Squirrel Network, described squirrelpox as a "terrible disease" that affects squirrels similarly to how myxomatosis impacts rabbits.
"Squirrelpox is carried by the invasive grey squirrels that were brought into this country at the end of the 1800s," he said.
"Unfortunately, they have spread far and wide throughout the UK and they are singularly the biggest threat to our red squirrel population.
"We are trying very hard to reduce the number of grey squirrels in the Tweeddale area and we have had some amazing successes in the Innerleithen, Traquair and Cardrona areas.
"Nowadays you are more likely to see a red squirrel than you are a grey squirrel."
Johnstone emphasized the importance of confirming whether the recent cases are due to squirrelpox.
"It is a particularly horrible disease and usually they [squirrels] last about 10 days before they die," he said.
He also noted that several other diseases could be responsible for the symptoms observed, underscoring the necessity of thorough testing.
Context of Recent Reports
The concerns arising in the Borders follow similar reports of red squirrel illness in Dollar, Clackmannanshire, reported last week.
