Home / Environment / Red Squirrels Face Extinction Threat in Lake District
Red Squirrels Face Extinction Threat in Lake District
1 Mar
Summary
- Grey squirrels carry fatal squirrelpox virus, endangering native red squirrels.
- Development plans in the Lake District threaten protected red squirrel habitat.
- Cumberland Council faces a costly report if squirrel findings are disputed.
Native red squirrels in the Lake District face a dire threat of extinction, primarily due to the spread of squirrelpox virus carried by invasive grey squirrels. Wildlife campaigner Gabrielle Sanders has voiced concerns over proposed development plans, urging Cumberland Council to assess their impact on the protected red squirrel population and its vital green corridor.
The council recently considered a commissioned report on the squirrels; disputing its findings could incur an additional cost of £44,750 for a full survey. Campaigners advocate for an amended development plan that would avoid necessary tree removal.
Red squirrels, historically celebrated in children's literature as inspirations for Beatrice Potter's characters, are primarily found in coniferous and deciduous forests across Europe. Their diet consists mainly of tree seeds, supplemented by insects, fungi, and bird eggs.
