Vaccination for Red Squirrels against Squirrel Pox

[Fisheruk]

I realise that probably most of the PW fraternity don’t have Red Squirrels in their area. Can I ask that you sign a petition started by a friend of mine who masterminded the removal of grey squirrels from Anglesey. The petition is to ask the Welsh government to have a debate supporting research into the production of a vaccine to be delivered to Red Squirrels which it is hoped will give Red Squirrels some protection from the fatal Squirrel Pox virus.

This is the petition link and provided your in the UK your vote will be counted towards the target of 10000, whether you are living in Wales or not.

https://theconversation.com/squirrelpox-outbreak-detected-in-north-wales-without-a-vaccine-the-disease-will-keep-decimating-red-squirrels-196811

Signing the petition will probably only take 30 seconds of your time.

Thank you to all who will spare the time.

This is the direct link to the petition 

https://petitions.senedd.wales/petitions/245357

 

Edited March 16, 2023 by Fisheruk

[chrisjpainter]

Unless I'm being dim, I can't see anywhere to sign a petition on that link?

[Shufti]

I cant find it!

[old'un]

Reading up a little on this petition, one thing I am not happy about is how much this being pushed by the anti mob, part of their argument is, if successful they would hope DEFRA would then stop the slaughter of thousands of grey squirrels in the name of conservation, great idea but be careful of what you vote for.

Quote “Pine marten predation is more pronounced upon grey than red squirrels”

they also go on to say that the Pine Marten is more likely to hunt water voles rather than Red’s once Grey numbers have been reduced…..what!,,,I thought the water vole was also an endangered species???

the balance of kills on red squirrels could change once all/most of the grey’s have been eradicated, the red would just be another food source, then 5-10 years down the road we come full circle with the need to reduce the numbers of Pine Marten because they are killing more reds than the expert thought they would, I am not an enthusiast of re-introducing such predators.

[chrisjpainter]

3 hours ago, old'un said:

Reading up a little on this petition, one thing I am not happy about is how much this being pushed by the anti mob, part of their argument is, if successful they would hope DEFRA would then stop the slaughter of thousands of grey squirrels in the name of conservation, great idea but be careful of what you vote for.

Quote “Pine marten predation is more pronounced upon grey than red squirrels”

they also go on to say that the Pine Marten is more likely to hunt water voles rather than Red’s once Grey numbers have been reduced…..what!,,,I thought the water vole was also an endangered species???

the balance of kills on red squirrels could change once all/most of the grey’s have been eradicated, the red would just be another food source, then 5-10 years down the road we come full circle with the need to reduce the numbers of Pine Marten because they are killing more reds than the expert thought they would, I am not an enthusiast of re-introducing such predators.

It's a valid concern. Removal of greys isn't only about protection of reds. They're an invasive species that does plenty of harm to other things too. Grey sterilisation would be a more long term solution to the protection of reds and would be much easier to maintain a balanced ecosystem afterwards

 

That said, I'd still sign the petition as it's a great short to medium term solution that would at least prevent reds from going extinct because of parapox. It wouldn't solve displacement problems, but it'd give them protection from something they currently show little to no resistance to.

[old man]

43 minutes ago, chrisjpainter said:

It's a valid concern. Removal of greys isn't only about protection of reds. They're an invasive species that does plenty of harm to other things too. Grey sterilisation would be a more long term solution to the protection of reds and would be much easier to maintain a balanced ecosystem afterwards

 

That said, I'd still sign the petition as it's a great short to medium term solution that would at least prevent reds from going extinct because of parapox. It wouldn't solve displacement problems, but it'd give them protection from something they currently show little to no resistance to.

Take your point but? Can we guarantee that Reds will not be subjected to the contraceptive?

[Fisheruk]

46 minutes ago, chrisjpainter said:

It's a valid concern. Removal of greys isn't only about protection of reds. They're an invasive species that does plenty of harm to other things too. Grey sterilisation would be a more long term solution to the protection of reds and would be much easier to maintain a balanced ecosystem afterwards

 

That said, I'd still sign the petition as it's a great short to medium term solution that would at least prevent reds from going extinct because of parapox. It wouldn't solve displacement problems, but it'd give them protection from something they currently show little to no resistance to.

I’ve added a direct link to the petition, so hopefully we’ll get a few more people to sign 

Just now, old man said:

Take your point but? Can we guarantee that Reds will not be subjected to the contraceptive?

Yes, there’s a huge amount of work being done to ensure it can be delivered specifically to greys, but it’s still years away from being licensed. Even then the scientists say it’ll not be a silver bullet and we’ll still need traditional methods of control eg., trapping and shooting 

[old man]

3 minutes ago, Fisheruk said:

I’ve added a direct link to the petition, so hopefully we’ll get a few more people to sign 

Yes, there’s a huge amount of work being done to ensure it can be delivered specifically to greys, but it’s still years away from being licensed. Even then the scientists say it’ll not be a silver bullet and we’ll still need traditional methods of control eg., trapping and shooting 

Thanks, I have signed, will keep whacking.

[Fisheruk]

4 hours ago, old'un said:

Reading up a little on this petition, one thing I am not happy about is how much this being pushed by the anti mob, part of their argument is, if successful they would hope DEFRA would then stop the slaughter of thousands of grey squirrels in the name of conservation, great idea but be careful of what you vote for.

Quote “Pine marten predation is more pronounced upon grey than red squirrels”

they also go on to say that the Pine Marten is more likely to hunt water voles rather than Red’s once Grey numbers have been reduced…..what!,,,I thought the water vole was also an endangered species???

the balance of kills on red squirrels could change once all/most of the grey’s have been eradicated, the red would just be another food source, then 5-10 years down the road we come full circle with the need to reduce the numbers of Pine Marten because they are killing more reds than the expert thought they would, I am not an enthusiast of re-introducing such predators.

In Ireland where there have been extensive studies it has been shown that where pine martens exist grey squirrels simply disappear, possibly into urban refuges but the Reds remain and although some may be predated by PM’s they checked PM scats and found that Reds are only a small proportion of the diet 

[chrisjpainter]

36 minutes ago, Fisheruk said:

I’ve added a direct link to the petition, so hopefully we’ll get a few more people to sign 

Yes, there’s a huge amount of work being done to ensure it can be delivered specifically to greys, but it’s still years away from being licensed. Even then the scientists say it’ll not be a silver bullet and we’ll still need traditional methods of control eg., trapping and shooting 

Now signed 👍

[Fisheruk]

Come on folk, just 16 more signatures to reach the 10000 total. You can do it!

[Fisheruk]

We’ve done it