Lancashire Wildlife Trust has secured £300,000 to help protect Merseyside’s vulnerable red squirrel population following a recent outbreak of squirrel pox, particularly around Formby.
The fatal disease is carried by non-native grey squirrels, which can spread the virus without showing symptoms. Infected red squirrels can develop painful lesions and shivering, leaving them unable to eat or move properly, and usually die within two weeks. Formby’s red squirrel population fell by an estimated 80% during the last major outbreak in 2008.
The Natural England Species Recovery Programme grant will help the trust respond more quickly to threats, expand grey squirrel management and create community tree-planting projects to provide more natural food. Heather Harris, from Lancashire Wildlife Trust, said the latest outbreak showed “just how vulnerable our red squirrel populations remain, and how quickly decades of conservation efforts can be put at risk.”
If you see a grey squirrel in Formby, please report it using this link: https://www.lancswt.org.uk/red-squirrel-sightings-form
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