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You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/red-squirrel-deadly-virus-endangered-species-grey-squirrel-lake-district-grasmere-a7939311.html
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| Britain's last red squirrel population being infected with deadly virus after killer greys infiltrate protected area | Britain's last red squirrel population being infected with deadly virus after killer greys infiltrate protected area |
| (3 days later) | |
| Grey squirrels are killing off their rare red counterparts with a deadly virus in the Lake District. | Grey squirrels are killing off their rare red counterparts with a deadly virus in the Lake District. |
| A population of 30 red squirrels living in Grasmere in the Lake District has fallen to 12 after grey squirrels managed to infiltrate their mountainous terrain. | A population of 30 red squirrels living in Grasmere in the Lake District has fallen to 12 after grey squirrels managed to infiltrate their mountainous terrain. |
| As reported by The Sunday Times, squirrel rangers patrol the valley and shoot grey invaders. | As reported by The Sunday Times, squirrel rangers patrol the valley and shoot grey invaders. |
| Yet the Animal and Plant Health agency found a population boom meant it was impossible to control grey squirrel numbers in the isolated area. | Yet the Animal and Plant Health agency found a population boom meant it was impossible to control grey squirrel numbers in the isolated area. |
| “Record numbers of grey squirrels overwhelmed control methods in the valley and then entered the Grasmere area,” the report read. | “Record numbers of grey squirrels overwhelmed control methods in the valley and then entered the Grasmere area,” the report read. |
| “Only a few months after grey squirrels entered the area, the first cases of pox virus occurred in red squirrels.” | “Only a few months after grey squirrels entered the area, the first cases of pox virus occurred in red squirrels.” |
| Grey squirrels were imported from America by 19th-century landowners to "add variety" to UK wildlife, but they carry a virus which has decimated the native red squirrel population. | Grey squirrels were imported from America by 19th-century landowners to "add variety" to UK wildlife, but they carry a virus which has decimated the native red squirrel population. |
| While there are now around 2.5 million grey squirrels, there are only a few thousands reds in England. | While there are now around 2.5 million grey squirrels, there are only a few thousands reds in England. |
| Most red squirrels are contained in isolated areas like Mersea Island in Essex, the Isle of Wight, areas of Northumberland and the Lake District. | Most red squirrels are contained in isolated areas like Mersea Island in Essex, the Isle of Wight, areas of Northumberland and the Lake District. |
| Grey squirrels also harm other species like songbirds, and in concentrated areas they can strip bark from young trees and stop their growth. | Grey squirrels also harm other species like songbirds, and in concentrated areas they can strip bark from young trees and stop their growth. |
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