THE ENDANGERED Irish red squirrel is under renewed threat as the first case of squirrel pox virus has been discovered in a red squirrel in the Republic.
Dr Ferdia Marnell, of the National Parks and Wildlife Service, confirmed a dead red squirrel recently found in Co Wicklow was infected with the virus.
Squirrel pox virus is generally fatal to red squirrels and has played a significant role in the decline of the red squirrel across England.
The virus is carried by grey squirrels – they do not appear to suffer from it – and it is not clear why the disease is now turning up in Irish red squirrels.
One theory being examined by Dr Marnell is the impact of the unseasonably cold winter last year, which may have put grey squirrels under stress, “possibly allowing them to manifest the disease”.
Red squirrels with the virus rapidly develop myxomatosis-type symptoms and die within days.
Whether the Co Wicklow discovery is an isolated incident remains to be seen, said Dr Marnell. “If it is more widespread, then we are looking at a more serious problem.”
This year scientists confirmed cases of the virus in red squirrels in Northern Ireland. While wildlife officers there were forced to cull squirrels, there are no plans to do the same here at present.
The Irish red squirrel is already under threat from the larger non-native grey squirrel which continues to encroach on its traditional territory.