ONE OF Ireland's native animals are making a ferocious comeback thanks to an unlikely ally-- the pine marten.
Red squirrels, a symbolic animal of the Emerald Isle, have seen their numbers drop significantly in recent years as they competed for food with the invasive grey squirrel, who also carry disease which can be fatal to the native reds.
But the recent reintroduction of another of Ireland's native animals, the pine marten, means the grey squirrel numbers are dropping and allowing the native reds to flourish.
The native red squirrels are flourishing again since the re-emergence of the pine marten, which is thinning the numbers of invasive grey squirrels (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)Researchers from the National University of Ireland, Galway (NUIG) discovered that the numbers of red squirrels are soaring to new heights in multiple counties where pine martens had been reintroduced.
“The re-emergence of the pine marten, which had previously almost disappeared in Ireland, is linked to the local demise of the greys,” researchers from NUIG stated.
Pine martens are another of Ireland's native animals whose numbers had suffered, but the predators are now making a comeback Picture: iStockThe difference in numbers is most noticeable in areas like the Midlands, where vast countryside has allowed pine martens to thrive and feed on the grey squirrels.
In urban areas, such as the cities and suburbs of Dublin and Belfast however, the grey squirrels continue to thrive, as they have done since being introduced to Ireland in the 20th century.
Grey squirrels are now common in Ireland after being introduced in the 20th century (Photo By Brendan Moran/Sportsfile via Getty Images)The all-island study, undertaken by researchers at Ulster Wildlife and Vincent Wildlife Trust with NUI Galway, shows that the predatory pine marten is thinning the numbers of grey squirrels, with one researcher describing it as "great news".
Dr Colin Lawton from NUI Galway said "We are delighted with the response from the public, who were enthusiastic and showed a wealth of knowledge of Ireland's wildlife.
"It is great news to see two native species recovering and doing well."
