Home / Environment / Red Squirrels Get High-Tech Help From Virtual Rangers
Red Squirrels Get High-Tech Help From Virtual Rangers
15 Jun
Summary
- Volunteers will remotely monitor CCTV footage to protect red squirrels.
- An £18,000 grant funds 50 motion-activated cameras in Northumberland.
- Project aims to detect and prevent threats from invasive grey squirrels.
A significant £18,000 grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund is launching an innovative conservation project in Northumberland. The Upper Coquetdale Red Squirrel Group (UCRSG) will deploy 50 motion-activated CCTV cameras across remote areas to aid red squirrel protection.
This "virtual ranger" initiative aims to combat the decline of England's red squirrel population. Volunteers will remotely monitor live footage, providing crucial data to identify threats from invasive grey squirrels. This allows individuals, including those with limited mobility, to actively participate in fieldwork.
The project will gather vital data over two years to detect threats early. Grey squirrels, an invasive species, carry a pox fatal to red squirrels. The cameras and remote monitoring will enable targeted conservation strategies and provide valuable wildlife clips for public enjoyment.
