A RACE to save the native red squirrel has begun in earnest as the Wildlife Trust launches a nationwide recruitment drive.
An "army" of 5,000 volunteers is being sought to help save the UK's last remaining red squirrels.
Experts believe that, without help, the species could be extinct within 35 years due to the rampant grey squirrels which compete with reds for food and habitat.
Westmorland Red Squirrels is just one of the charities in Cumbria which works to protect the native species by controlling the grey population.
Bob Cartwright, Secretary and trustee of the charity said: "It does need a co-ordinated nationwide approach with greater ground control across the country."
"Our evidence is that where there is a collated and co-ordinated effort it's possible to turn the tide and the reds do come back."
Mr Cartwright said the best way to control the grey population is to co-operate with landowners and provide traps so they can then be shot.
He said: "It's unfortunately the only way at the moment. Otherwise they will take over."
In addition to grinding down the grey squirrels, the work of Westmorland Red Squirrels' 50 volunteers also extends to giving educational talks in schools and collating the latest research.
The charity works hand in glove with Cumbria Wildlife Trust to explore humane ways of controlling the grey population and to present the latest figures to government.
There are estimated to be only 140,00 red squirrels left in Britain, 5,000 of which reside in Cumbria, compared to a staggering 2.5 million grey squirrels.
Grey squirrels are native to North America and were first released in the UK in 1876 in Henbury Park, Cheshire.
The reason for introducing them is unkown but it is clear that the Victorians had no idea of the risks of introducing a non-native species.
One theory is that they were considered exotic, adding a fashionable edge to England's park.
Reds are also under threat from squirrel pox, a virus which they can easily contract from greys.
While greys have immunity to the virus, for native squirrels it can cause skin ulcers, lesions and scabs and most reds die a long and painful death within 15 days of contracting it.
Prince Charles has today also endorsed a government-backed plan to sterilise grey squirrels, which should cut down the population by 90 per cent.
Volunteers however remain at the heart of saving the red population and ensuring that they will be around for generations to come.
Mr Cartwright adds:"We need volunteers from all walks of life so we can create supplies for red squirrels to survive and thrive."
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