Residents in Dollar urged to take action after suspected outbreak of squirrelpox

Residents in Clackmannanshire are being urged to take down any wildlife feeders in their gardens after a suspected outbreak of squirrelpox.

Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels, a partnership project led by the Scottish Wildlife Trust, says it has received multiple reports of sick red squirrels in Dollar, with symptoms they believe are consistent with the virus.

Symptoms include lesions around the face, paws and genitalia. The squirrel will appear noticeably unwell – quite lethargic and be easy to approach, the charity said.

Taking down the feeders for two weeks will help to reduce the risk of the virus spreading.

A post-mortem is the only way to confirm squirrelpox, but experts think it is “highly likely” from video evidence.

Squirrelpox is a virus spread by grey squirrels, which are unaffected, but it is fatal to reds within about two weeks.

Residents are being asked to send any dead red squirrels found to the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies.

A spokesperson at Saving Scotland’s Squirrels said: “Eastern Lowlands Red Squirrel Group are working to contain the spread and are calling for residents to get in touch if they can host a live trap in their garden.

“Anyone who can help or has images of sick red squirrels should contact elredsquirrelgroup@gmail.com.”

There has only been one other positive case of squirrelpox north of the central belt, in Dunfermline in 2024.