Mid Scotland and Fife MSP Claire Baker attended the Red Squirrel Fun day in Tentsmuir Forrest organised by Fife Red Squirrel Group. The event, which was arranged in conjunction with the Forestry Commission and Scottish Natural Heritage, was organised to raise awareness of the threats faced by the red squirrel.

The main event took place in the picnic area by Tentsmuir car park and included stalls with games and information, face painting, quizzes, storytelling and ranger-led squirrel walks. Tentsmuir Forrest is an important habitat for wildlife and is home to many red squirrels and roe deer, it is also possible to see seals on the sandbars from Tentsmuir point. The forest has many waymarked trails throughout that allow you to explore either by foot or on bike.

Red squirrels are a protected species as they are under threat nationally largely due to the introduction of grey squirrels to mainland Britain. The North American grey squirrel was introduced to Fife in 1919 and is widespread in central and southern Scotland.

Around 121,000 red squirrels remain in Scotland, which is around 75% of the UK population, in contrast it is thought that the number of grey squirrels in the UK is over 3 million. The main threats facing red squirrels in Scotland are the spread of grey squirrels, habitat loss and fragmentation and squirrelpox virus.

Squirrelpox is a fatal disease for red squirrels, killing them within 15 days of infection. The disease however is harmless to grey squirrels and it is they who carry and spread the virus. Before the squirrel dies squirrelpox causes discharge around the eyes, nose, mouth feet and genitalia, lesions and scabs with swelling, skin ulcers and increasing lethargy.

Speaking after the fun day, Claire Baker MSP said:

“I would like to thank Fife Red Squirrel Group, the Forestry Commission, Scottish Natural Heritage and all that volunteered and helped make today a great success. The day was both entertaining and educational and I know that those that attended will have went away in no doubt regarding the plight facing red squirrels in Scotland.

“Red Squirrels have already almost vanished from the central belt and suffered declines in and around the Scottish Borders, Ayrshire, Angus, Perthshire and Aberdeen. Time is running out for the red squirrel and in order to prevent them from disappearing from our Scottish wildlife action must be taken.

“Sophie Eastwood and the rest of the team at Fife Red Squirrel Group must be commended for all the hard work they are undertaking. When you speak to them their passion in saving the red squirrel is clear to see and I hope that through raising awareness they are able to receive the help, support and most importantly funding that they need to continue to fight for the red squirrel.”