|
|
Article: Finally our red squirrels have a fighting chance; Immunity: Red squirrels have fought a losing battle against their more successful grey cousins and the previously deadly squirrelpox virus.
- Article from:
- Daily Mail (London)
- Article date:
- October 16, 2008
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2008 Solo Syndication Limited. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
|
THE first sign of hope for the endangered red squirrel has been spotted by scientists.
Last year the Squirrel Survey of Ireland predicted that the reds could be wiped out in 20 years.
But researchers have found that a number were discovered to have immunity to the deadly squirrelpox virus.
Until now, it was understood that all red squirrels who contracted squirrelpox, formerly known as parapox and which is spread by their grey cousins, died from the virus.
But the latest study, which took place in the UK, and is based on post mortem tests carried out on red squirrels, found that eight animals had antibodies to squirrelpox.
It ...