Deadly squirrelpox cases confirmed in Clackmannanshire

A virus deadly to red squirrels has been confirmed in a population of the animals in Clackmannanshire.

Wildlife charities said cases of the highly contagious squirrelpox were recorded in red squirrels near Dollar last month.

The virus is carried by non-native grey squirrels which are unaffected by the virus but it can be fatal for native reds.

It is only the second time the virus has been recorded north of the central belt.

The Eastern Lowlands Red Squirrel Group (ELRSG) said it was also investigating a possible case of the disease in Devilla Forest near Kincardine in Fife.

Symptoms include ulcers, scabs and weeping lesions on the face, paws and genitalia, all of which can prevent red squirrels from eating, drinking or moving.

Infected squirrels may also appear lethargic, remain stationary for long periods of time and be easy to approach.

Post-mortem results are the only way to confirm squirrelpox, which is usually fatal within two weeks.

People in the area are being urged to remove any wildlife feeders in their gardens for at least two weeks to limit the spread of the virus.

ELRSG has also appealed for volunteers to place squirrel traps in their gardens in order to catch greys in a bid to control the spread of the disease.

Hollie Sutherland, the group's project co-ordinator, said: "It is very upsetting to see red squirrels suffering and dying from squirrelpox in this area.

"We have a significant population of red squirrels in Clackmannanshire, which people are supportive and protective of.

"Monitoring and managing disease outbreaks can be extremely challenging, so support from local councils, organisations and landowners is invaluable."

Squirrelpox was first recorded in Scotland in 2007, near Lockerbie.

Since then, cases have since been confirmed in a number of red squirrel populations in the south of the country.

There has only been one confirmed positive case of squirrelpox north of the central belt - in Dunfermline in 2024.

Six separate reports of sickness in red squirrels in the Venlaw area outside Peebles, as well as one in nearby Drumzelier, were also recorded last month.

Red squirrels are Scotland's only native species, however their numbers have dwindled to below 220,000 due to the invasive non-native grey squirrel.