Every year we here at Blair Drummond Safari and Adventure Park raise money for a particular animal campaign. Last year we raised over £5,200 for our Madagascar fund. However this year we have decided to go native and raise money for British Red Squirrels.
Who? What? Where?
Red Squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris) are a slender, more light-weight version of their bulkier cousins the Grey Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis). Their coat ranges in colour from light brown to bright red. This coat is shed twice a year, once in spring and again in autumn. With its thick winter coat, come its prominent tufted ears. Their preferred habitat is coniferous forests, where they feed on pine cones, birds’ eggs and fungi, amongst other things. And we are lucky enough to have our own Red Squirrel population here at Blair Drummond!
Why?
Red Squirrels are classed as ‘Near Threatened’ with extinction and there are thought to be only around 160,000 Red Squirrels left in the wild in Britain; 85% of which can be found in Scotland. Their low numbers are due to three main factors. Firstly, the destruction of the pine forests in which they live by humans; secondly, the Grey Squirrel. The Grey Squirrel was introduced to Britain from America in the late 19th Century and since then has been one of the main culprits for the Reds’ decline. Grey Squirrels can live in both broad-leafed and coniferous forests and due to this have been competing for food with the Reds. Grey Squirrels also carry a disease, called Parapoxvirus, which leaves them unharmed but is deadly to the Red Squirrels. Unfortunately the Red Squirrels breed a lot less often than the Grey Squirrels too, which does not help boost their numbers.
How?
The funds raised will be used to buy more Red Squirrel feeders, these are specially designed to tip the heavier Grey Squirrels out to stop them stealing food! These cost around £70 each. We also need to buy food to stock these feeders. Money raised will be used to fund our on-going check ups on the Greys for squirrel pox; and some of the money will also be donated to a Red Squirrel charity.
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