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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| Red squirrels number on the rise in Scotland, survey finds | Red squirrels number on the rise in Scotland, survey finds |
| (21 days later) | |
| Efforts to boost the red squirrel population appear to be working in Scotland | Efforts to boost the red squirrel population appear to be working in Scotland |
| A survey of red squirrels in Scotland suggests that efforts to increase their numbers have been successful. | A survey of red squirrels in Scotland suggests that efforts to increase their numbers have been successful. |
| The Great Scottish Squirrel Survey found they were returning to the Aberdeen area and that the number of greys had decreased. | The Great Scottish Squirrel Survey found they were returning to the Aberdeen area and that the number of greys had decreased. |
| Over many years, the reds retreated further northwards and concerns grew that they could be wiped out. | Over many years, the reds retreated further northwards and concerns grew that they could be wiped out. |
| People are encouraged to continue reporting sightings and feed the red squirrels as the population grows. | People are encouraged to continue reporting sightings and feed the red squirrels as the population grows. |
| The survey confirmed the only red squirrel population in the Highlands is safe and free of greys due to the efforts of staff protecting the Highland Boundary Fault Line, a geological feature stretching from Argyll to Aberdeenshire. | The survey confirmed the only red squirrel population in the Highlands is safe and free of greys due to the efforts of staff protecting the Highland Boundary Fault Line, a geological feature stretching from Argyll to Aberdeenshire. |
| Emergency action over squirrelpox outbreak | Emergency action over squirrelpox outbreak |
| The latest headlines from Scotland | The latest headlines from Scotland |
| During the fourth annual survey week in October, 659 participants reported 255 grey squirrel and 510 red squirrel sightings - more than triple the number reported in a typical week. | During the fourth annual survey week in October, 659 participants reported 255 grey squirrel and 510 red squirrel sightings - more than triple the number reported in a typical week. |
| The data influences conservation work carried out by Saving Scotland's Red Squirrels, a project led by the Scottish Wildlife Trust that has been working to save the species for the last 14 years. | The data influences conservation work carried out by Saving Scotland's Red Squirrels, a project led by the Scottish Wildlife Trust that has been working to save the species for the last 14 years. |
| Programme manager Nicole Still thanked the public for submitting "vital" sightings of both species. | Programme manager Nicole Still thanked the public for submitting "vital" sightings of both species. |
| "We strongly encourage people to continue to report sightings with us," she said. | "We strongly encourage people to continue to report sightings with us," she said. |
| "Just this small act of citizen participation can make a big difference to our efforts." | "Just this small act of citizen participation can make a big difference to our efforts." |
| Ms Still said the red squirrel population was "thriving" throughout the country. | Ms Still said the red squirrel population was "thriving" throughout the country. |
| "[It] is a really promising sign and a good demonstration that the really active control efforts and conservation efforts of our projects and also our partners and statutory agencies have been really successful over the years," she said. | "[It] is a really promising sign and a good demonstration that the really active control efforts and conservation efforts of our projects and also our partners and statutory agencies have been really successful over the years," she said. |
| Vanessa Fawcett from the Red Squirrel Survival Trust told BBC Scotland that gardeners can help with the conservation efforts. | Vanessa Fawcett from the Red Squirrel Survival Trust told BBC Scotland that gardeners can help with the conservation efforts. |
| She said: "We are encouraging gardeners who live in red areas or areas adjacent to red areas to start to feed the reds as their numbers grow [and] to start to grow the food that will benefit and supplement the existing food sources for our red squirrels." | She said: "We are encouraging gardeners who live in red areas or areas adjacent to red areas to start to feed the reds as their numbers grow [and] to start to grow the food that will benefit and supplement the existing food sources for our red squirrels." |
| The main threats facing red squirrels are urbanisation, grey squirrels outcompeting them for space and food, and squirrel pox spread by greys. | The main threats facing red squirrels are urbanisation, grey squirrels outcompeting them for space and food, and squirrel pox spread by greys. |
| In the south of Scotland, a mix of the two species remains, but volunteers are working to keep numbers of grey squirrels low. | In the south of Scotland, a mix of the two species remains, but volunteers are working to keep numbers of grey squirrels low. |
| Related Topics | |
| Squirrels | |
| Aberdeen |