Wildlife UK Forum - Discuss the UK countryside and wildlife

Possible good news for the red squirrel.

The BBC reports that scientists have found that some red squirrels have developed an immunity to squirrel pox a disease that has ravaged their numbers.

The pox is transmitted by grey squirrels; but while greys suffer no ill effects from it, if a red catches the virus it is dead within weeks.

The findings, published in EcoHealth, suggest a vaccine could now be developed to help to save red squirrels in Britain from extinction.

Very good news for this threatened species. The sooner they find a grey contaceptive the better!

I'll second that, it is good news lets hope they are in time to save the Formby Reds.

That's great news! Hopefully it isn't too late to save the few that are remaining now. Does anyone know how many of the squirrels have developed immunity percentage wise?