Prince Charles backs return of red squirrel into Cornish woodlands after cull of greys
Red squirrels could soon be scampering through their native woodlands in Cornwall – but only after the grey intruders who forced them out are eradicated.
The Prince of Wales will launch a reintroduction project for specially selected parts of the county as he visits the Royal Cornwall Show today.
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Red squirrel
Landowners on the Lizard Peninsula and in West Penwith have already started culling greys, which are officially classed as vermin and must be wiped out in the area before any reds can be brought in.
The Prince, an ardent supporter of the case to preserve the species, said the importance of such schemes "cannot be understated".
He said: "They are one of the most charming and irresistible of British native mammals and are under ceaseless, pernicious attack by the relentless march of the imported greys, which do such untold damage to newly planted native hardwood trees all over the country."
Prince Charles is patron of the Red Squirrel Survival Trust (RSST), which is working with The Cornwall Red Squirrel Project to enlist landowners and farmers. Four supporters have already started culling greys on their land, but it will take at least three years before the habitat is safe for reds.
The scheme, which will cost £120,000 over three years, could prove a major tourism draw, and would include an environmental impact. Greys are far more destructive than the more timid reds, and have been blamed for fatally ring-barking hardwood trees such as oak. They are a threat to some birds and are considered a menace by many farmers because of the destruction they cause to crops.
The two areas of Cornwall were selected because they are surrounded by sea on three sides and can be protected from re-invasion by greys.
The red squirrel was last seen in Cornwall in 1984. Its disappearance is largely due to the competitive presence of the invasive greys, which carry a virus which is harmless to them but potentially deadly to reds.
Joshua Perry, director of RSST, said the success of the chough, which has recently been reintroduced in Cornwall, highlighted the possibilities. Despite the benefits, any cull is expected to be controversial.
But Mr Perry expects the backlash in Cornwall to be minimal. He said: "In rural regions people realise greys are total pests. They are vermin, and if you catch one, you have to dispatch it."
Charles Williams, chairman of the Cornwall Red Squirrel Project, which is locally managed and employs a full-time ranger, said the most humane method used to cull greys was poison.
The substance, which does not harm other wildlife, is placed in an L-shaped trap, so only squirrels, and rats and mice, can access it. Mr Williams said: "It's obviously a concern to people, but this method is approved by the Forestry Commission."
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by Charles Henry 1945-(diuturnity), Somersetshire
Friday, June 18 2010, 9:29AM
“:) You really hate farmers don't you Tim. . Were you chased by a herd of cows once, when you were trying to impress a young lady when you were still a spotty teenager?. . Did they nearly eat you?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5P6UU6m3cqk
.”
by Timothy, Pz
Sunday, June 13 2010, 4:19PM
“Cows are looked after by farmers. Ipso facto it must be the farmers who are at fault. Therefore cull the farmers. Perhaps Charles will offer himself up in the interest of the cattle he is so committed to at the earliest opportunity?”
by Charles Henry 1945-(diuturnity), Somersetshire
Friday, June 11 2010, 10:29PM
“:) I'm surprised she lets you stay up this late playing on the computer now Justin. . I presume you've put the kids to bed. . But have you finished in the kitchen yet?”
by Freethinker, Cornwall
Friday, June 11 2010, 9:09PM
“I think your in your in bed wetting mode again Charlie.
l'll send some special deluxe diapers for you. I'll try and pick some with cuddly badgers on them, especially for you. That will help me old mucker... Best Freethinker”
by Charles Henry 1945-(diuturnity), Somersetshire
Friday, June 11 2010, 5:46PM
“:) Righty ho Justin; but see if you can collect a drop of badger's urine will you?. . I'll get it tested for you. . Up to 300,000 Mycobacterium bovis bacilli have been measured in a single millilitre of badger urine. . We don't want the children or the dog picking it up from any of their filthy latrines now do we. . We can't be too careful with our loved ones can we.
MiKey has just learnt to say "dong" by the way. . He's got a wicked laugh!
Best Charles
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5P6UU6m3cqk”
by Freethinker, Cornwall
Friday, June 11 2010, 5:01PM
“That would be perfect me old Somersetshire mucker...
I'll recommend that you stay until after dark, just so you can enjoy all the pleasures of watching our badgers in the garden, and maybe an odd Owl or two. Nature in the raw, just the way it should be me old Somersetshire mucker.... Best Freethinker”
by Charles Henry 1945-(diuturnity)s, Somersetshire
Friday, June 11 2010, 4:40PM
“:) As usual you talk the animal rights talk very well Justin. . The animal rights horses always used to be the highest, so let's just agree to disagree now shall we. . I know you don't really like killing cattle. Maybe then, I'll pop round and have a cup of tea with you and your lovely partner one afternoon. . My son has just sent me a picture he took of a Little Owl in the garden. I'll forward it to the Editor. He may put it in the paper for you. . Best Charles”
by Freethinker, Cornwall
Friday, June 11 2010, 3:59PM
“@ Charles
Back on your 'high' Somersetshire horse again...
Maybe Michael in Marazion would like to read Mark Purdy's terrific book about BSE/nvCJD called Animal Pharm. It's a fascinating
look at what really caused the BSE outbreak. Mark Purdy's research goes to the heart of the issue.
As for killing badgers, well those who will be involved in this pointless process need remember that once all of the badgers have been culled, bTB will still be prevalent in the cattle herds. A total waste of taxpayers money. David King's opinions are just that, opinions, nothing else.. The government and famers participating in this badger cull just enjoy killing our native British wildlife for there own financial gain. Freethinker”
by Charles Henry 1945-(diuturnity), Somersetshire
Friday, June 11 2010, 3:24PM
“:| Michael; the actual cause of vCJD is still unproven, and in reality few have actually died(165 in all I believe). . It just became a 'political' disease. . 2million people actually die from TB EVERY year. Bovine TB is a far greater danger to humanity. . And anyway, blaming farmers for the feed they purchased is a bit like blaming motorists for the BP Oil disaster. . You may not like my forceful manner over bTB, I'm not politically correct enough for most people, but I assure you I not alone and I am correct. And time will prove me so. . Best Charles”
by michael, marazion
Friday, June 11 2010, 3:01PM
“@charles henry...i am not an animal rights activist. i was trying to point out gently that some of the tribulations suffered by the farming community have been caused by poor practice. 'mad cow disease' and the resulting variant cjd was cause by the practice of introducing infected sheep carcasses into livestock feed. the last tory administration responded to lobbying from the feed manufacturers to allow them to change the expensive(basically boiling in benzene) method of sterilisation. i will not provide any links, because this is all getting a bit tedious now, and has drifted a fair way off topic”