The Red Squirrel fight in the UK 'needs teamwork'
The grey squirrel has forced the red squirrel out of many areas of England
Better co-ordination is needed to save the red squirrels in northern England, say conservationists.
Dozens of local organisations are helping trap and cull grey squirrels, which threaten the UK's native red.
In recent years, the Red Squirrel Protection Partnership (RSPP) has joined the fight and says it has culled 23,000 greys.
The smaller groups have welcomed its work, but some want the RSPP to provide more information about its activities.
The RSPP, led by Liberal Democrat peer Lord Redesdale, claims to have culled more than 20,000 grey squirrels in Northumberland and said it was now targeting grey populations in County Durham.
Much of its work is carried out by volunteers, who are provided with traps.
The grey squirrel population is a 'big problem' and needs addressing if the red squirrel is going to survive and thive.
But a network of local groups are also dedicated to tackling the problem - in smaller geographical areas.
Norris Atthey, from Morpeth Red Squirrels, said Lord Redesdale was failing to keep them informed.
He said: "He's not liaising with local groups. He's suggesting there are few [greys] left but there is still a big problem.
The red squirrel is starting to return to some areas where greys have been culled
"We've got big problems in the area of the north east of England but he doesn't want to get involved where it would be difficult. He's only interested in number crunching."
Sally Hardy, of Ponteland Red Squirrels, also runs the Northern Red Squirrels, a forum for the local groups.
She said: "We're all doing our bit and have been trying to encourage closer working relationships with the RSPP.
"It would be nice to find out more information about where they are trapping, though to be honest if anyone is trapping grey squirrels and keeping them out of red areas then we support that."
Lord Redesdale denied that local groups were not kept informed about the RSPP's activities.
He said: "We liaise with landowners and there are only two areas in Northumberland where they haven't let us on to their property.
"We provide traps for about 300 local people. Lots of these are pensioners for example - one woman has caught 58 for us."
The campaign in Northumberland had been a huge success, he added, with the populations of grey squirrels are being reduced to "small pockets".
The red squirrel is a native of the UK and should be preserved. For more information you can contact the above named organisations. Just google the information. If you want to discuss this please, discuss it on Ecowatch :-) Have a great day everyone
Better co-ordination is needed to save the red squirrels in northern England, say conservationists.
Dozens of local organisations are helping trap and cull grey squirrels, which threaten the UK's native red.
In recent years, the Red Squirrel Protection Partnership (RSPP) has joined the fight and says it has culled 23,000 greys.
The smaller groups have welcomed its work, but some want the RSPP to provide more information about its activities.
The RSPP, led by Liberal Democrat peer Lord Redesdale, claims to have culled more than 20,000 grey squirrels in Northumberland and said it was now targeting grey populations in County Durham.
Much of its work is carried out by volunteers, who are provided with traps.
The grey squirrel population is a 'big problem' and needs addressing if the red squirrel is going to survive and thive.
But a network of local groups are also dedicated to tackling the problem - in smaller geographical areas.
Norris Atthey, from Morpeth Red Squirrels, said Lord Redesdale was failing to keep them informed.
He said: "He's not liaising with local groups. He's suggesting there are few [greys] left but there is still a big problem.
The red squirrel is starting to return to some areas where greys have been culled
"We've got big problems in the area of the north east of England but he doesn't want to get involved where it would be difficult. He's only interested in number crunching."
Sally Hardy, of Ponteland Red Squirrels, also runs the Northern Red Squirrels, a forum for the local groups.
She said: "We're all doing our bit and have been trying to encourage closer working relationships with the RSPP.
"It would be nice to find out more information about where they are trapping, though to be honest if anyone is trapping grey squirrels and keeping them out of red areas then we support that."
Lord Redesdale denied that local groups were not kept informed about the RSPP's activities.
He said: "We liaise with landowners and there are only two areas in Northumberland where they haven't let us on to their property.
"We provide traps for about 300 local people. Lots of these are pensioners for example - one woman has caught 58 for us."
The campaign in Northumberland had been a huge success, he added, with the populations of grey squirrels are being reduced to "small pockets".
The red squirrel is a native of the UK and should be preserved. For more information you can contact the above named organisations. Just google the information. If you want to discuss this please, discuss it on Ecowatch :-) Have a great day everyone
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