Startling findings about the virus that has been
decimating this squirrel in the UK.
“Sciurus vulgaris
Incorrect supplementary feeding of red squirrels can promote the local outbreaks of squirrel poxvirus (SQPV)
Feeding: the
areas where European red squirrels live in the UK should change the “Shared
Feeders System” (One feeder for a bunch of squirrels to eat from.) To
"scatter feeding" Throw it out there, kind of like feeding the
chickens. Take a handful and toss near where they can eat what is there or take
it to bury. Rationing of sorts.
To significantly reduce the possibility of passing
SQPV to other Red Squirrels within the neighborhood and insects in a small area
by the many red squirrels visiting and eating within one day. The feeders put up by volunteers should not be
used for the Eurasian red squirrels. Sharing is not good for their health,
although it is easier on volunteers. It will entail rethinking the feeding
program and volunteers necessary to keep it going in the cold weather.
(In short, it's about placing several nuts
near trees – as many as the squirrel has a chance to quickly eat and/or bury to
protect the Red Squirrel from the disease.) The virus can be
spread via droplet transmission (saliva) by European red squirrels* and for
them "scatter feeding" should be applied – with no shared feeders.”
*(Warnock et al. 2012, Collins et al. 2014, ICSRS 2015) Abstract: https://i-csrs.com/new-threats-red-squirrels
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