Squirrelpox claims its first victim in the Scottish Highlands: Heartbreaking ... trends now
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The last surviving red squirrel populations in the UK face death from the disease that has ravaged their cousins in the rest of the country.
Squirrelpox has eliminated the majority of red squirrels in the UK, with populations holding out in the north of Scotland.
But now this population faces decimation - as a red squirrel has been found killed by the disease in the Highlands.
The squirrel had the tell-tale features of the disease including ulcers and scabs around the eyes and mouth.
Liam Wilson, from the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies said: 'This is a worrying development for red squirrels in Scotland, as this case north of the Central Belt may be the prelude to squirrel pox expansion both locally and further northward, although more investigative work is required to fully assess this risk.'
A red squirrel has been found killed by the disease in the Highlands. The squirrel had the tell-tale features of the disease including ulcers and scabs around the eyes and mouth
The organisation Saving Scotland's Red Squirrels said the first identified death of a red squirrel from the dreaded squirrelpox virus in Dunfermline 'could have serious consequences for the area's red squirrel populations'.
While lethal to
