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Project to examine leprosy in red squirrels
red squirrel
Brownsea Island is home to around 200 red squirrels. Leprosy is thought to have been present on the island for some time, but it has only just been diagnosed as such.
Brownsea Island becomes home to a new study

Wildlife experts are hoping to find out more about how leprosy affects British red squirrels on Brownsea Island in Dorset.

Leprosy was first identified in red squirrels in Scotland in 2014, but it is thought to have been present in the squirrel population for centuries.

According to post-mortems, the disease also affects squirrels on the Isle of Wight and Brownsea Island, off the south coast of England. Little is currently known about how it spreads.

Researchers from the University of Edinburgh will work with the National Trust and the Dorset Wildlife Trust. It is hoped their work will offer clues about how the disease is spread between squirrels and how conservationists can help to control it.

Brownsea Island is home to around 200 red squirrels. Leprosy is thought to have been present on the island for some time, but it has only just been diagnosed as such.

Vets will use humane traps to capture the squirrels, before taking blood samples and other clinical samples for analysis.

Across the UK, there are thought to be less than 140,000 red squirrels left. The primary threats to their survival are habitat loss and squirrel pox virus.

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Reporting service for dead wild birds updated

News Story 1
 The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has updated its online reporting service for dead wild birds.

The new version allows those reporting a dead bird to drop a pin on a map when reporting the location. It also includes a wider range of wild bird species groups to select from when describing the bird.

The online service, which helps APHA to monitor the spread of diseases such as avian influenza, can be accessed here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NI chief vet urges bluetongue vigilance

Northern Ireland's chief veterinary officer (CVO) has urged farmers to be vigilant for signs of bluetongue, after the Animal and Plant Health Agency warned there was a very high probability of further cases in Great Britain.

There have been 126 confirmed cases of bluetongue virus serotype 3 in England since November 2023, with no cases reported in Northern Ireland. The movement of live ruminants from Great Britain to Northern Ireland is currently suspended.

According to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), the virus is most likely to enter Northern Ireland through infected animals or germplasm (semen or ova) being imported.

Brian Dooher, Northern Ireland's CVO, said: "Surveillance for this disease within Northern Ireland has been increased to assist with detection at the earliest opportunity which will facilitate more effective control measures."

Farmers should report any suspicions of the disease to their private veterinary practitioner, the DAERA Helpline on 0300 200 7840 or their local DAERA Direct Veterinary Office.