Central Scotland Forest Trust (CSFT) is encouraging locals in the Central Scotland Forest area to safeguard the existence of red squirrels in Central Scotland.

The species, scientifically known as Sciurus vulgaris, is native to Great Britain, but its future is in danger as the invasive American grey squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) spreads its reach across the country.

Once widespread across the UK, red squirrels are now largely restricted to the north of England, Northern Ireland and Scotland with Scotland currently hosting about 75% of the UK population. In fact, there are estimated to be only 140,000 red squirrels remaining in Britain today, in contrast to over 2.5million of their grey counterparts.

The primary threats to the survival of the indigenous reds are competition from the increasing number of grey squirrels, habitat fragmentation and road traffic.

Disease is also one of the gravest concerns and red squirrels north of the border are currently under attack from outbreaks of the squirrelpox virus which is carried into the country by the greys.  Grey squirrels are found to be immune to the disease but the virus is invariably fatal to the reds.

Whilst locals in Central Scotland may think they are protecting red squirrels by leaving food out in their gardens, this can actually have a detrimental effect as feeding areas encourage contact between the reds and the greys, providing an environment in which the disease can readily spread.

Simon Rennie, Chief Executive of CSFT said: “Garden feeders are often the key points of contact between red and grey squirrels and therefore present the opportunity for squirrel to squirrel disease transmission, increasing the chance of the disease spreading.

“We’re urging locals in the Central Scotland Forest area to refrain from feeding squirrels in their gardens in the fight towards preventing further spread of the disease.”