Red Squirrel Conservation Welfare

Red squirrel conservation involves multiple welfare trade-offs including grey squirrel management and translocation of red squirrels.

Key Facts

Red squirrels have been reduced to approximately 160,000 in the UK, primarily in Scotland, Northumberland and northern England
Grey squirrels, introduced in the late 19th century, outcompete reds and carry squirrelpox to which they are resistant
Grey squirrel control including lethal methods is used to protect red squirrel refugia
Pine marten recovery is providing natural biological control of grey squirrels in some areas
Red squirrel reintroductions to sites including Anglesey and parts of Ireland have been successful
Squirrelpox vaccination research is developing but not yet available for field deployment
Supplementary feeding stations with feeders designed to exclude grey squirrels support red squirrel populations

Welfare Considerations

Red squirrel conservation involves genuine welfare trade-offs. Protecting red squirrels requires managing grey squirrels, often lethally. This creates a conflict between the welfare of individual grey squirrels and the conservation and welfare of red squirrels as a population. Pine marten recovery offers a natural alternative to lethal control with its own welfare dynamics. Supporting conservation approaches that minimise grey squirrel suffering while protecting red squirrel populations reflects both welfare and conservation values.

What You Can Do

Support red squirrel conservation organisations including Red Squirrels Northern England and Saving Scotland Red Squirrels
Install red squirrel feeders designed to exclude grey squirrels if you live in a red squirrel area
Support pine marten recovery as a natural alternative to lethal grey squirrel control
Donate to squirrelpox vaccine research to support non-lethal protection options