Article: Love is ... a red squirrel getting across the road; Threat: Red squirrels risk all for love.

Byline: Toby McDonald

IT was a puzzle that wildlife experts were desperate to solve - just why were so many red squirrels getting run over on the roads? Now scientists have found an answer: The love-hungry creatures are prepared to risk anything to find a mate.

The discovery was made after experts set up a network of special squirrelsized rope bridges over several roads in Scotland.

Until now, no research had been carried out to discover if the walkways - each of which costs up to ?1,000 - were being used.

But a study in the Cowal peninsula of Argyll - one of the squirrels' last strongholds - has shown that a hunger for sex spurs them ...

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