Scientists have found that some red squirrels have developed immunity to a disease that has ravaged their numbers.

The pox is transmitted by grey squirrels; but while greys suffer no ill effects from it, if a red catches the virus it will be dead within weeks.

As the grey squirrels increased their range, red squirrels have suffered huge population declines and now exist in just a few pockets around the British Isles.  But recent findings have shown 8 red squirrils to have the anti-virus and some immunity to the pox!  The findings, published in EcoHealth, suggest a vaccine could now help to save red squirrels from annihilation.