SCIENTISTS at Bournemouth University (BU) are supporting efforts to protect red squirrels across three islands in Dorset and Hampshire.
The team of scientists, led by Dr Emilie Hardouin and Dr Kathy Hodder, have been studying the genetics of red squirrels on Brownsea Island, Furzey Island and the Isle of Wight.
The number of red squirrels in Britain is said to be declining “rapidly”, and these are the only three locations in the South of England where they can still be found.
Following a study of fur from squirrels on the Isle of Wight, the BU team found that the rodents on the east side of the island were genetically different to those on the west side of the island.
The scientists suggest that the rural and urban landscapes of the island may be stopping the squirrels from mixing as the critters typically prefer tree canopies or hedges.
The team's findings support the work of conservation groups like the Wight Squirrel Project which has been planting trees and hedgerows to let squirrels move around the island more easily.
Dr Hardouin said: “Red squirrels are thriving on the Isle of Wight, but they need to be able to adapt to new environmental conditions.
“Giving all the populations on the island the opportunity to mix would allow them to bring all their gene pools together, creating better genetic health for future generations of squirrel and ensuring they can adapt as needed.”
Dr Hodder added: “Unlike their grey counterparts, red squirrels are reluctant to travel across open ground and spend a lot of their time up in the trees.
“Hedgerow trees can act as stepping-stones between these patches which will help other woodland species as well as the squirrels.”
Dr Hardouin and Dr Hodder’s also said their recent studies have not found “worrying” levels of inbreeding amongst the Isle of Wight squirrel.
The pair described this as “encouraging”, as their earlier study had indicated that squirrels across Brownsea Island, Furzey Island and the Isle of Wight were closely related to each other.
They are now planning further research to investigate the extent of inbreeding for the Isle of Wight squirrels.
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