|
The endangered Irish red squirrel is under renewed threat
as the first case of squirrel pox virus has been discovered
in a red squirrel in the Republic.
Dr Ferdia Marnell, of the National Parks and Wildlife Service
(NPWS),
confirmed a dead red squirrel recently found in Co Wicklow
was infected with the virus.
Squirrel pox virus is generally fatal to red squirrels and
has played a significant role in the decline of the red squirrel
across England. The virus is carried by grey squirrels - they
do not appear to suffer from it - and it is not clear why
the disease is now turning up in Irish red squirrels.
One theory being examined by Dr Marnell is the impact of
the unseasonably cold winter last year, which may have put
grey squirrels under stress, “possibly allowing them to manifest
the disease”.
Red squirrels with the virus rapidly develop myxomatosis-type
symptoms and die within days.
Whether the Co Wicklow discovery is an isolated incident
remains to be seen, said Dr Marnell. “If it is more widespread,
then we are looking at a more serious problem.”
This year scientists confirmed cases of the virus in red
squirrels in Northern Ireland. While wildlife officers there
were forced to cull squirrels, there are no plans to do the
same here at present.
The Irish red squirrel is already under threat from the larger
non-native grey squirrel which continues to encroach on its
traditional territory.
Source - The Irish Times
|
