A rapid response service is being set up to help trap and kill grey squirrels across southern Scotland.
It is part of the Red Squirrels in South Scotland (RSSS) project to try to control grey squirrel numbers and stop the spread of the squirrel pox virus.
Landowners and wildlife and forestry agencies will work to create a "buffer zone" against the disease.
Environment Minister Mike Russell said the humane destruction of grey squirrels was "absolutely necessary".
The scheme will cover Dumfries and Galloway, the Borders, East and South Ayrshire and South Lanarkshire.
Mr Russell launched the project at Drumlanrig Castle on the Queensberry Estate near Dumfries, where three cases of squirrel pox were confirmed earlier this year.
The disease can be carried by grey squirrels without harming them but is deadly for their red counterparts.
KEY TARGETS FOR THE RED SQUIRRELS PROJECT
The environment minister said it was time to take action as there was "only a short time to save the red squirrel from the brink of extinction".
"The red squirrel is one of our most beautiful and valuable native species and Scotland is one of the few sanctuaries it has left," said Mr Russell.
"Since its arrival in the British Isles, the grey squirrel has gradually taken over with its more aggressive feeding habits, meaning that its red cousin is now endangered.
"To make matters worse, a new threat is heading north in the form of squirrel pox, lethal to the red squirrel and almost endemic in the grey population."
He said the RSSS project would aim to "stop squirrel pox in its tracks".
"Humane destruction of grey squirrels is absolutely necessary to make the project's aim a reality," he said.
"There is simply no alternative."
Ethical solution
RSSS chairman Andy Wiseman said the scheme needed the assistance of everyone in the area.
"The success of this project will depend very much on our ability to create a disease-free barrier across south Scotland's woodlands," he said.
"We are going to need the help of land owners to assist our team of experienced controllers with trapping efforts, and the general public to report grey squirrel sightings to our team."
Not all organisations agree with the practice of catching and killing grey squirrels.
Advocates for Animals has described the current situation as a "problem of man's making" and called for a more "ethical and practical long-term solution".
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