Our Coast, Our Sea - Want to adopt a redhead?

11 November 2010

Now is the time for buy that special Christmas Gift to help endangered red squirrels.

For £22 per adoption, members of the public will be able to adopt a red squirrel for a year.

In return for their sponsorship, adopters will receive a special gift package which includes: a fluffy red squirrel toy, a handy cotton shopper, a golden coloured squirrel pin badge, personalised adoption certificate, a fact sheet, red squirrel postcard, car sticker, book mark, and more. Most of all, is the satisfaction that their adoption will make a difference to red squirrels.

Once common, the red squirrel is now in serious decline across the United Kingdom. It has virtually disappeared in Southern England and only remains in small areas in Northern England and Southern Scotland.

The decline has been caused by the invasive grey squirrel which was introduced from the USA in the 1870s. The grey squirrel is heavier and is therefore able to out-compete the red squirrel in its search fro food. It also carries the deadly Squirrelpox virus (SQPV).

Although research is being undertaken into a vaccine for SQPV, it will still be a number of years before it is ready. In the meantime, attempts are being made to keep reds and greys apart which includes the creation of specially protected red squirrels areas, known as Strongholds

Anybody interested in popping an Adoption Package in somebody’s stocking this Christmas Eve can make an adoption on-line by logging on at www.saveoursquirrels.org or call the SoS hotline on: 0845 3479375.

An adoption of a squirrel will help to ensure that SoS is able to continue
its work of managing red squirrel woodlands, public engagement projects
and working closely with other organisations to ensure the red squirrels survives for future generations to enjoy.