Wild Animals

Wild Red Squirrel Conservation

Red squirrels have been largely replaced by introduced grey squirrels across England and Wales, and their survival depends on targeted grey squirrel control and disease management.

Key Facts

Fewer than 120,000 red squirrels remain in the UK, mainly in Scotland
Grey squirrels carry squirrelpox virus, fatal to reds but harmless to greys
Disease transmission combined with competition has driven reds from 90% of their former range
Strongholds in Northumberland, Isle of Wight and northern Scotland require active management

Welfare Considerations

Red squirrels in areas with grey squirrel incursion face mortality from squirrelpox, a disease causing lesions around the eyes, mouth and feet before death. Competition reduces food access and territory quality. Individual red squirrels removed from protected areas by disease experience prolonged suffering from the virus.

What You Can Do

Support Red Squirrel Northern England and equivalent regional groups
Donate to immunocontraception research for humane grey squirrel population management
Report red squirrel sightings and signs of squirrelpox to local conservation officers
Avoid releasing or relocating grey squirrels in areas near red squirrel populations