Northumberland acts
as a buffer zone between the large grey squirrels further south and the red squirrel protected habitat of Kielder Forest.
It was thought that the Northumberland terrain and habitat would make it impossible for a grey squirrel population to flourish.
This, however, has not been the case. Now the future of the red squirrel in Northumberland is under severe threat due to the
grey squirrel invasion. Unless drastic action is taken, the red squirrel will be extinct in Northumberland within ten years
and the population in the Kielder forest will come under threat.
Habitat management of buffer zones can help save the reds,
but it is not enough of on its own. Huge work and progress is being made in this area through the Save Our Squirrels organisation.
To date, attempts have failed to create and introduce immuno-contraceptives
into the grey squirrel population that attack their reproductive system. The Forestry Commission and Defra estimate that an
effective vaccine is at least 10 years away.
There is no effective vaccine for reds against the squirrel-pox virus.
It is illegal to relocate greys after trapping
them. Since 1930 it has been illegal in the UK to release a grey squirrel after it has been trapped.
It is almost impossible to reintroduce reds
in grey squirrel areas as they are easily out-competed or infected and die out.
