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Members of the public are being asked to report sightings
of squirrels 'dead or alive' on both sides of the river Shannon,
as part of a survey focusing on the spread of grey squirrels
to the west of Ireland.
Last year marked the 100th anniversary of the fateful introduction
of grey squirrels to Ireland when six pairs were released
in the Castleforbes estate in Co Longford. They have since
become the greatest enemies of native red squirrels.
According to the mammal ecology group at NUI Galway, which
is conducting the study, the distribution of grey squirrels
has expanded in all directions except westwards, where the
Shannon appears to be an obstacle.
As the populations of this non-native species have increased,
there has been a marked decline and disappearance of Ireland’s
native red squirrels, as both species compete for the same
foods - tree seeds, nuts and pine cones.
“Studies haves shown that red squirrels can disappear from
an area within a decade or two after the arrival of the grey
squirrels. The grey squirrel also carries the squirrel pox
virus, which is lethal to the native reds,” the group has
said.
Recently, two cases of the virus were detected in Co Wicklow.
The All-Ireland Squirrel Survey in 2007 found red squirrels
had become extinct in some areas and were absent from Meath
and Westmeath and very rare in Louth, Carlow and Kilkenny.
Not alone are grey squirrels causing the disappearance of
one of Ireland’s much-loved native species, but they are causing
damage to trees through “bark stripping”.
Anyone may complete an online survey form at woodlandmammals.com,
email margaret.flaherty@nuigalway.ie,
or follow the project on Facebook or Twitter.
Source - The Irish Times
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