NEWS RELEASE For Immediate Use 15 December 2009 STRONGHOLDS IN TAYSIDE TO PROTECT RED SQUIRRELS Angus and Perthshire must be central in the strategy to protect the red squirrel as the area is the ‘frontline’ between red and grey squirrels: that is the call from Conservative MSP Murdo Fraser after it was announced that there will be 18 ‘strongholds’ to protect red squirrels from encroachment from grey squirrels, which included parts of Tayside. Forestry Commission Scotland announced this week that it will lead the work to plan and manage 18 stronghold sites that will help safeguard the country’s surviving red squirrel population. FCS will work with landowners and local communities, aiming to finalise stronghold maps and develop suitable management plans in all the 18 locations proposed in the consultation on the proposed plan. The 18 sites are: Ordiequish/Whiteash/Ben Aigan, Eredine, Culbin Forest, Inverliever, Kilmichael, Glentochty, Black Isle, South Rannoch, Glen Glass, Fleet Basin, Morangie Forest, Daviot Loch Moy, Inshriach and Glenfeshie, Leanachan, Balmoral to Inver, Eskdalemuir, Glenbranter, Abernethy, Nethy Bridge. With each site being at least 2000 hectares in size, around 100,000 ha of the best forest sites in Scotland will be managed as refuges for red squirrels, focusing on ensuring food supplies for reds (from cone bearing conifers) and restricting food sources preferred by greys (large seeded broadleaves). Commenting, Murdo said: “It is welcome news that there will be 18 strongholds for red squirrels in Scotland, which include parts of Perthshire. It is vital that we protect our red squirrels and Angus and Perthshire are at the frontline as grey squirrels are encroaching in on the area. “It is important that we step up the action to stop the spread of grey squirrels in our area. A number of organisations, local conservation groups, landowners and individuals are committed to saving the red squirrel in Tayside but this is a vast area and we must see more resources committed to the area to stop the decline of red squirrels. “The red squirrel is under serious threat and I fear that it will eventually become extinct in the wild unless this type of action is taken to help the red squirrel. For a number of years now, I have been calling for a long term strategy to help save the red squirrel and I welcome this initiative. “It is clear that over the last ten years, we have seen grey squirrels moving further and further north into Scotland, and Angus and Perthshire are now the battleground for red and grey squirrels as we have both populations in the area.” ENDS   back to top of page