Experts fear red squirrel is on way out
Red squirrel THE red squirrel could be at risk of dying out in Ireland, experts have warned.
Scientists say overthinning of Ireland’s forests and over-cutting of trees is a threat to its survival.
The warning came in a collaboration involving researchers in the UK, NUI Galway, UCD, UCC, Queen’s University Belfast and the Irish Wildlife Trust.
Dr Denise O’meara said: “Ireland’s level of forest cover is still one of the lowest in Europe, and clear-felling and over-thinning is a threat to the red squirrel’s survival.”
The Squirrel Pox Virus, which is carried by greys who are immune to it, has already devastated the number of red squirrels in the wild in recent years.