Squirrel Pox Virus continues to reduce red squirrel numbers at the famous Formby red squirrel reserve.

Dealing with the Squirrel Pox Virus (SQPV) epidemic continues to be a daily concern for wardens and volunteers at Formby. To date, 72 sick red squirrels have been taken to veterinary care from the locality. Many more may have fallen prey to foxes or died in their dreys.

Andrew Brockbank, the National Trust’s property manager at Formby says:

Early symptoms of squirrel pox include lethargy and poor co-ordination – at this stage affected animals can be successfully treated if caught. Later signs include lesions around the eyes, nose and mouth and bleeding between the digits.

Co-ordinated action continues at Formby and along the Sefton Coast to try and prevent the further spread of SQPV under the guidance of Thom Dallimore whose post as Red Squirrel Officer with the Lancashire Wildlife Trust has been co-funded with The National Trust, Natural England and Save Our Squirrels.

Thom’s role includes working with residents to trap grey squirrels and to encourage people to disinfect bird table and feeders to help reduce the risk of spreading Squirrel Pox Virus.  Trained volunteers continue to search the woodlands daily for sick red squirrels. Any sick animals found are taken to a local vet for assessment and initial care. The main value of getting sick reds to veterinary care is to reduce suffering and to remove a source of further infection.

The results of the daily searches show that SQPV remains a threat to the survival of Formby’s red squirrels. The National Trust suspended supplementary feeding in September as there is abundant natural food for the red squirrels at this time of the year. Stopping feeding also reduces the risk of attracting grey squirrels into the pine woods.