Scotland culls grey squirrels to save reds

Scottish National Heritage has announced plans to cull the country’s grey squirrel population in a bid to save the native reds.

Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels (SSRS) is a three year project aiming to boost the 121,000 population in Scotland - 75% of all red squirrels in the UK.

Red squirrels are endangered by the squirrel pox virus, which kills them in around 14 days once infected.

Grey squirrels can carry squirrel pox, but are unaffected by it.

Environment Minister Mike Russell said: “The red squirrel is one of our most beautiful and valuable native species.

“Therefore its loss would be absolutely unforgivable.”

Animal rights groups, however, are angry at the plans to cull thousands of grey squirrels.

Ross Minett, from Advocates for Animals, said: “We want a solution through habitat management and development of a squirrel pox vaccine.”