Red and Grey Squirrels
Angus Macmillian
Letter to the Editor
I was interested to read “Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels” (SSRS) is claiming that their grey squirrel cull is instrumental in red squirrels returning to Cults, Countesswells and Bieldside where they have been absent for many years. It’s also interesting that the Forestry Commission’s website is no longer giving past information of where red squirrels could be seen in Aberdeenshire. Are they trying to wipe out the past and claim the future?
However, they do seem to have overlooked something. Scottish Natural Heritage’s squirrel distribution maps from 1990 to 2006 http://www.scottishsquirrelsurvey.co.uk/map.html show that the red squirrel distribution in the Aberdeenshire area increased naturally and substantially over the sixteen year period, so perhaps their claim isn’t as solid as they wish it to look.
The maps also show that the red squirrel distribution decreased in the North West of Scotland over the same period where no grey squirrels existed.
So is the whole concept of the grey squirrel cull more about the ethnic cleansing of an “alien species”, than a genuine attempt to “save” the red squirrel?
It certainly looks that way!
But never underestimate the ingenuity of those seeking to maintain grant funding for a cause. The latest ploy is to seek the public’s “perception” of red squirrels to assist in estimating the population. It seems now that the Wildlife Trusts are moving towards marketing “virtual squirrels” where all they will need to provide is a perception of their existence rather than the real thing. Next it’ll be invisible red squirrels.
If this catches on, how long it will be before we are conned by high street spivs into parting with our hard earned cash for a perception of what we wish to purchase?
The mind boggles!
Yours faithfully
Angus Macmillan
www.grey-squirrel.org.uk
In response to http://news.scotsman.com/scotland/Red-squirrels-make-a-comeback.6078169.jp