Squirrelpox outbreak sparks red squirrel warning in Formby
An outbreak of squirrelpox has been confirmed in Formby, prompting the Lancashire Wildlife Trust to warn the public to stop using communal bird feeders. The virus is highly lethal to red squirrels and is spread by non-native grey squirrels.
Why it matters
The outbreak threatens the survival of a vulnerable native species, requiring community intervention to prevent local extinction.
Image source, PA Image caption, The last major outbreak in Formby had a devastating impact.
An outbreak of squirrelpox has been confirmed in one of the major areas of red squirrel populations in the UK.
Lancashire Wildlife Trust is urging people to take immediate action following the outbreak in Formby, Merseyside warning the coming weeks could be "critical".
During the last major outbreak in 2008, Formby's red squirrel population fell by an estimated 80%.
Carried without symptoms by invasive, non-native grey squirrels, squirrelpox can spread unnoticed before reaching vulnerable red squirrels - causing shivering and painful lesions that make it difficult to eat and move. Most succumb within two weeks.
The trust says communal feeding stations are super spreaders.
Molly Frost, red squirrel project officer at Lancashire Wildlife Trust, said: "Using feeders may seem like a kind way to support nature, but they are dangerous when a virus is present.
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