Squirrelpox outbreak detected in north Wales – without a vaccine, the disease will keep decimating red squirrels
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Concerns over the spread of squirrelpox have increased after a sick red squirrel was found in Bangor, Wales, in late November.
It’s not the first time an outbreak has happened in the area – back in 2020/21, the disease caused a loss of 70%-80% of its red squirrel population. Such major outbreaks are devastating and lead to dramatic and ongoing red squirrel declines.
Conservationists have a formidable task to ensure that similar losses do not happen again. The current national strategy is simple: cull grey squirrels in areas where red squirrels persist. However, there is no single, straightforward way to safeguard the future of this native mammal at the moment.
It’s not the first time an outbreak has happened in the area – back in 2020/21, the disease caused a loss of 70%-80% of its red squirrel population. Such major outbreaks are devastating and lead to dramatic and ongoing red squirrel declines.
Conservationists have a formidable task to ensure that similar losses do not happen again. The current national strategy is simple: cull grey squirrels in areas where red squirrels persist. However, there is no single, straightforward way to safeguard the future of this native mammal at the moment.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Publisher | The Conversation |
| Publication status | Published - 21 Dec 2022 |