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Information => Outdoor News and Events => Topic started by: admin on March 30, 2016

Title: Squirrel pox virus outbreak in Tollymore Forest Park
Post by: admin on March 30, 2016

(https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/sites/default/files/styles/inline/public/images/news/red-squirrel.jpg?itok=baNXKC5X&timestamp=1458918147)

Quote

Squirrel pox, a disease fatal to red squirrels, has been confirmed in Tollymore Forest Park. You should report any sightings of red squirrels showing signs of the disease immediately to the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) wildlife team or a member of the NI Squirrel Forum.

How to report a case

Sick red squirrels will appear lethargic, approachable, with painful sores on their faces and paws.

Unfortunately there appears little natural resistance to the virus within the local population and sick squirrels tend to die within 10 to 14 days.

The disease itself does not affect people or domestic pets.

You can report a suspected case of the disease at this link:
http://www2.habitas.org.uk/records/squirrels

If you have squirrels entering your garden to feed at bird feeders, please either remove these or clean them daily to reduce the spread of the virus.

More:
https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/news/squirrel-pox-virus-outbreak-tollymore-forest-park

Title: Re: Squirrel pox virus outbreak in Tollymore Forest Park
Post by: phil_b on March 31, 2016

Sad to see this. I went up to Donegal a couple of weeks ago to see Red Squirrels and we are staying in the caravan in Tollymore later in the year and i had hoped to see them there too.

(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1658/25795921931_bcdddbcf0b_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/FiuQSF)DSC_9415 (https://flic.kr/p/FiuQSF) by Philip Blair (https://www.flickr.com/photos/philblair/), on Flickr

(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1678/25258179594_5a436298d6_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/EtYLP5)DSC_9165 (https://flic.kr/p/EtYLP5) by Philip Blair (https://www.flickr.com/photos/philblair/), on Flickr

(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1532/25770134432_af7a10bcb3_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/FgdF9C)DSC_9094 (https://flic.kr/p/FgdF9C) by Philip Blair (https://www.flickr.com/photos/philblair/), on Flickr

(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1633/25262075713_6fa14c677f_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/EujJZx)DSC_9746 (https://flic.kr/p/EujJZx) by Philip Blair (https://www.flickr.com/photos/philblair/), on Flickr