Two solutions for Philly
Posted: Mon May 26, 2008 7:06 amHey Philly, perhaps you can construct a Hadrian's wall of squirrel traps or just find one pox infected British gray squirrel:
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/u ... 999071.ece
A modern Hadrian’s Wall of animal traps is to be laid along the Scottish border in a desperate attempt to prevent an invasion of grey squirrels from England.
Fears are growing for the future of the red squirrel in Scotland after a grey, infected with a deadly pox virus, was discovered at Floors Castle in Kelso.
It is the most easterly outbreak to occur in Scotland, raising concerns that infected greys — which carry the virus with natural immunity — have found a new route across the border from Northumberland.
Until now, conservationists had believed that the only incursion route was at the border with Cumbria.
Estates across the north of England have been ordered to lay 1,000 traps to halt the march of the grey squirrel, an American species introduced to Britain in the 19th century.
Although the method of transmission is unknown, once infected, reds die within a matter of days.
Early symptoms include lethargy progressing to open lesions and ulcers around the eyes, mouth, nose, ears, paws and genitals which cause blindness. They usually succumb to dehydration.
The disease is blamed for decimating their numbers in England and Wales. Their final stronghold is in Scotland which is home to around 120,000 red squirrels, roughly 75% of the UK population.
“Despite our best efforts, the grey squirrel has got through and this could mean they have found a completely new route across the border into Scotland,” said Richard Wales, of Red Squirrels in South Scotland, a conservation group.
An outbreak of squirrelpox virus among reds was detected last month on the Duke of Buccleuch’s Queensberry Estate, north of Dumfries.
The only other known infection among reds was when four squirrels died of squirrelpox virus at the Castle Milk Estate, near Lockerbie, in September 2007.
Mike Russell, the environment minister, has announced the appointment of four Border patrol officers — at an annual cost of £140,000 — to trap greys.
“The red squirrel is an increasingly rare sight around much of Scotland and we must do everything we can to protect them,” he said. “I want to see a joined-up approach to tackling this potentially devastating virus, with everyone playing a full and equal part.”
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/u ... 999071.ece
A modern Hadrian’s Wall of animal traps is to be laid along the Scottish border in a desperate attempt to prevent an invasion of grey squirrels from England.
Fears are growing for the future of the red squirrel in Scotland after a grey, infected with a deadly pox virus, was discovered at Floors Castle in Kelso.
It is the most easterly outbreak to occur in Scotland, raising concerns that infected greys — which carry the virus with natural immunity — have found a new route across the border from Northumberland.
Until now, conservationists had believed that the only incursion route was at the border with Cumbria.
Estates across the north of England have been ordered to lay 1,000 traps to halt the march of the grey squirrel, an American species introduced to Britain in the 19th century.
Although the method of transmission is unknown, once infected, reds die within a matter of days.
Early symptoms include lethargy progressing to open lesions and ulcers around the eyes, mouth, nose, ears, paws and genitals which cause blindness. They usually succumb to dehydration.
The disease is blamed for decimating their numbers in England and Wales. Their final stronghold is in Scotland which is home to around 120,000 red squirrels, roughly 75% of the UK population.
“Despite our best efforts, the grey squirrel has got through and this could mean they have found a completely new route across the border into Scotland,” said Richard Wales, of Red Squirrels in South Scotland, a conservation group.
An outbreak of squirrelpox virus among reds was detected last month on the Duke of Buccleuch’s Queensberry Estate, north of Dumfries.
The only other known infection among reds was when four squirrels died of squirrelpox virus at the Castle Milk Estate, near Lockerbie, in September 2007.
Mike Russell, the environment minister, has announced the appointment of four Border patrol officers — at an annual cost of £140,000 — to trap greys.
“The red squirrel is an increasingly rare sight around much of Scotland and we must do everything we can to protect them,” he said. “I want to see a joined-up approach to tackling this potentially devastating virus, with everyone playing a full and equal part.”