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| Red squirrels: Vaccine call to save animal from killer pox | Red squirrels: Vaccine call to save animal from killer pox |
| (about 7 hours later) | |
| Conservation efforts have seen the number of red squirrels on Anglesey go from 40 to 1,000 | Conservation efforts have seen the number of red squirrels on Anglesey go from 40 to 1,000 |
| Conservation efforts have seen the number of red squirrels on Anglesey go from 40 to 1,000 | Conservation efforts have seen the number of red squirrels on Anglesey go from 40 to 1,000 |
| Wales' red squirrels face being wiped out by a deadly virus unless a vaccine is developed, campaigners have warned. | Wales' red squirrels face being wiped out by a deadly virus unless a vaccine is developed, campaigners have warned. |
| The pox killed up to 80% of red squirrels over winter at one of just three sites where they can still be found in Wales. | The pox killed up to 80% of red squirrels over winter at one of just three sites where they can still be found in Wales. |
| Nearly 11,000 people have signed a petition calling on the Welsh government to fund vaccine research. | Nearly 11,000 people have signed a petition calling on the Welsh government to fund vaccine research. |
| The Welsh government said it would look at "emerging evidence and opportunities to best support populations". | The Welsh government said it would look at "emerging evidence and opportunities to best support populations". |
| Invasive, non-native grey squirrels carry squirrel pox virus, but are not affected by it. | Invasive, non-native grey squirrels carry squirrel pox virus, but are not affected by it. |
| Dr Craig Shuttleworth, an honorary research fellow at Bangor University, said there were only about 1,000 red squirrels left in north Wales, mostly on Anglesey. | Dr Craig Shuttleworth, an honorary research fellow at Bangor University, said there were only about 1,000 red squirrels left in north Wales, mostly on Anglesey. |
| There are tiny populations at Treborth, near Bangor, and in the Clocaenog forestry near Ruthin, Denbighshire. | There are tiny populations at Treborth, near Bangor, and in the Clocaenog forestry near Ruthin, Denbighshire. |
| There is also a project to restore the squirrels to Ceredigion, but the numbers remain small. | There is also a project to restore the squirrels to Ceredigion, but the numbers remain small. |
| "We've got 1,000 and believe it or not, that's a conservation success," said Dr Shuttleworth. | "We've got 1,000 and believe it or not, that's a conservation success," said Dr Shuttleworth. |
| "When we started on Anglesey we only had 40, now we've got about 800, potentially a few more. But they are under threat, a massive threat." | "When we started on Anglesey we only had 40, now we've got about 800, potentially a few more. But they are under threat, a massive threat." |
| Cull the greys - and put them on the menu | Cull the greys - and put them on the menu |
| Squirrel goes nuts in bakery | Squirrel goes nuts in bakery |
| There has been a successful programme to cull all the grey squirrels on Anglesey, to protect the reds, but this has proved almost impossible to repeat on the mainland. | There has been a successful programme to cull all the grey squirrels on Anglesey, to protect the reds, but this has proved almost impossible to repeat on the mainland. |
| Dr Craig Shuttleworth says squirrel pox is the biggest threat facing native red squirrels in Wales | Dr Craig Shuttleworth says squirrel pox is the biggest threat facing native red squirrels in Wales |
| It led to the Treborth red squirrels almost being wiped out in November and December after coming into contact with grey squirrels carrying the pox virus. | It led to the Treborth red squirrels almost being wiped out in November and December after coming into contact with grey squirrels carrying the pox virus. |
| The virus rapidly develops in the reds, causing cuts, blisters and growths on the skin. It is highly infectious and kills them in about three weeks. | The virus rapidly develops in the reds, causing cuts, blisters and growths on the skin. It is highly infectious and kills them in about three weeks. |
| Dr Shuttleworth said "we don't need a grey squirrel to set foot on the island for pox to come here" as reds moved between Anglesey and Gwynedd on the mainland. | Dr Shuttleworth said "we don't need a grey squirrel to set foot on the island for pox to come here" as reds moved between Anglesey and Gwynedd on the mainland. |
| A red squirrel in Cumbria with lesions in his eyes and hands and that can barely eat - the virus is fatal to red squirrels | |
| He is convinced a vaccine could help prevent further deaths and help rebuild the population across the UK. | He is convinced a vaccine could help prevent further deaths and help rebuild the population across the UK. |
| According to the Red Squirrels Northern England group, there are now only 290,000 squirrels left in the UK. | According to the Red Squirrels Northern England group, there are now only 290,000 squirrels left in the UK. |
| "We are asking the Welsh government to take the lead, to be daring and to start funding vaccine research again," said Dr Shuttleworth. | "We are asking the Welsh government to take the lead, to be daring and to start funding vaccine research again," said Dr Shuttleworth. |
| A petition to the Senedd calling for the move has attracted 10,700 signatures, which means it will now be considered for a debate. | A petition to the Senedd calling for the move has attracted 10,700 signatures, which means it will now be considered for a debate. |
| Work on a vaccine was under way at Scotland's Moredun Institute until funding dried up in about 2010. | Work on a vaccine was under way at Scotland's Moredun Institute until funding dried up in about 2010. |
| Dr Colin McInnes, who led the original research programme, said there was "still quite a bit of work to be done", including how it would be delivered and how much protection it offered. | Dr Colin McInnes, who led the original research programme, said there was "still quite a bit of work to be done", including how it would be delivered and how much protection it offered. |
| Those backing the vaccine bid believe it would be money worth spending, with Dr Shuttleworth estimating tourists coming to see the squirrels was already worth about £1m a year. | Those backing the vaccine bid believe it would be money worth spending, with Dr Shuttleworth estimating tourists coming to see the squirrels was already worth about £1m a year. |
| "What about the wellbeing value?" added Dr Shuttleworth. | "What about the wellbeing value?" added Dr Shuttleworth. |
| Hugh Rowlands has been dubbed "The Squirrel Whisperer" | Hugh Rowlands has been dubbed "The Squirrel Whisperer" |
| One person who knows more about this than perhaps any other is Hugh Rowlands, a retired Army veteran from Llangefni on Anglesey. | One person who knows more about this than perhaps any other is Hugh Rowlands, a retired Army veteran from Llangefni on Anglesey. |
| He has post-traumatic stress disorder after his time in the military and seeing the red squirrels at a nature spot has changed his life. | He has post-traumatic stress disorder after his time in the military and seeing the red squirrels at a nature spot has changed his life. |
| "It's very rewarding. It used to stop me getting in trouble with the law," he confessed. | "It's very rewarding. It used to stop me getting in trouble with the law," he confessed. |
| "I come here maybe five times a week for hours on end and just sit with the squirrels and feed them. | "I come here maybe five times a week for hours on end and just sit with the squirrels and feed them. |
| "If a grey squirrel came in here and these squirrels disappeared, I would be absolutely devastated - there's no two ways about it." | "If a grey squirrel came in here and these squirrels disappeared, I would be absolutely devastated - there's no two ways about it." |
| Hugh has been able to capture scores of images of his beloved red squirrels | Hugh has been able to capture scores of images of his beloved red squirrels |
| Hugh has now spent so much time in the area, the squirrels come out when they hear his voice, knowing food will follow. | Hugh has now spent so much time in the area, the squirrels come out when they hear his voice, knowing food will follow. |
| It earned him the nickname "The Squirrel Whisperer of the Dingle" from the television wildlife expert Iolo Williams. | It earned him the nickname "The Squirrel Whisperer of the Dingle" from the television wildlife expert Iolo Williams. |
| But he is sceptical: "I think it's this Welsh accent of mine they hear, and I just talk and talk and they come down." | But he is sceptical: "I think it's this Welsh accent of mine they hear, and I just talk and talk and they come down." |
| Responding to the petition lodged with the Senedd, a Welsh government official said: "We welcome the important work being carried out by people to protect this vulnerable species. | Responding to the petition lodged with the Senedd, a Welsh government official said: "We welcome the important work being carried out by people to protect this vulnerable species. |
| "We have seen some positive progress for increasing numbers of red squirrels in Wales but there is much more to do." | "We have seen some positive progress for increasing numbers of red squirrels in Wales but there is much more to do." |
| Related Topics | Related Topics |
| Ruthin | Ruthin |
| Conservation | Conservation |
| Squirrels | Squirrels |
| Llangefni | Llangefni |
| Welsh government | Welsh government |
| Bangor | Bangor |