The red squirrel population in Perth and Kinross is at risk of dying out if immediate action is not taken, it has been claimed.
Urgent calls have been made for the local authority to allow traps to be set on its land to help rid the area of greys.
According to members of the Perth and Kinross Red Squirrel Group, numbers have reached critical levels at the Knock of Crieff as the non-native species takes over.
Chairman Simon Poots revealed that, although Scotland is home to 75% of the UK’s red squirrel population, they were facing a “race against time” to save the iconic creature.
“On Perth and Kinross Council’s website, it says that since the Red Squirrel Project began at the Knock of Crieff numbers have increased,” he said.
“I can tell you that they haven’t they’ve actually crashed. Our feeder box is up there and, over the last six months, we have been collecting hair samples from it and they have gone from red to grey.”
He told members of the environment committee that, two years ago, the group proposed to control the grey squirrel population at Den of Alyth and, despite getting approval from Forestry Commission Scotland and the local landowner, the council refused the application to set traps in the woodland.
As a result, the grey population grew and has since spread further. Mr Poots urged the committee to consider a motion from Councillors Willie Robertson and Murray Lyle to look at how the local authority can support the control of grey squirrels.
“We need to consider the positive economic impact of the red squirrel,” he added.
“This is the Year of Natural Scotland and Scottish Government figures show that wildlife tourism helps support 3,000 jobs and brings in £276 million each year.”
Members of the environment committee backed the motion and called for a report to come before them in six months so they could monitor the progress being made.