Red Squirrel Revival
Posted: 26 Oct 2015, 09:23The red squirrel has been in severe decline in the UK but one island has completely eliminated grey squirrels to promote a red resurgence. Could it leader to a wider programme of eradication, asks Rachel Argyle.
Once common, red squirrels have declined rapidly in the UK since the 1950s, falling in numbers from around 3.5 million, to a current estimated population of around 130,000.
Anglesey, an island off the north-west coast of Wales, declared itself a grey squirrel-free zone earlier this year after an 18-year cull.
Now, it's been announced that a share of £1.2m of Heritage Lottery Fund money will see the cull of grey squirrels extend to the neighbouring county of Gwynedd, where no native nutkins have been spotted for nearly 70 years
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-34603394
Once common, red squirrels have declined rapidly in the UK since the 1950s, falling in numbers from around 3.5 million, to a current estimated population of around 130,000.
Anglesey, an island off the north-west coast of Wales, declared itself a grey squirrel-free zone earlier this year after an 18-year cull.
Now, it's been announced that a share of £1.2m of Heritage Lottery Fund money will see the cull of grey squirrels extend to the neighbouring county of Gwynedd, where no native nutkins have been spotted for nearly 70 years
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-34603394