Restoring a native predator is helping red squirrels after decades of competition with their grey cousins, research has found.
The pine marten preys on both animals but the invasive grey squirrel has been shown to be much more vulnerable, the Queen’s University Belfa st study showed.
When pine marten scent was applied to feeding stations across the North, red squirrels showed increased vigilance for danger while their competitors did not.
Queen’s researchers said: “This is likely a response to red squirrels sharing a landscape with pine martens over a long period of time, with grey squirrels being relative newcomers to the threat the pine marten poses.”
Following introductions in the 19th and 20th centuries, the grey replaced the native red across much of its former range in the UK and Ireland.
Pine martens, a recovering predator in the UK and Ireland, are naturally controlling introduced grey squirrels, while at the same time helping to secure the survival of native red squirrel populations.
Researchers found native red squirrels showed clear behavioural responses to pine marten scent, while grey squirrels did not.
Reds visited the feeders less often when pine marten scent was applied.
Lead author and PhD student at the School of Biological Sciences at Queen’s, Joshua Twining said: “Grey squirrels, introduced to the UK from North America have only shared the landscape for a mere blink of the eye on an evolutionary timescale, and thus currently appear to be naive to the threat of predation by this native predator.
“In a modern world that is daunted by environmental crisis and ecological collapse, it is more important than ever to recognise the potential of nature, its resilience and ability to provide solutions to our mistakes.”
