Wildlife

Wild Red Squirrel Conservation Welfare

Red squirrels face existential threat from squirrelpox virus carried by grey squirrels, and conservation programs protect their welfare and survival.

Key Facts

Red squirrels are absent from most of England and Wales due to grey squirrel expansion
Squirrelpox virus is lethal in red squirrels but asymptomatic in greys
Red squirrel populations persist in Scotland, northern England and some islands
Vaccination programs against squirrelpox are in development
Grey squirrel management in red squirrel strongholds is necessary for conservation

Welfare Considerations

Squirrelpox causes a prolonged, painful death in red squirrels. The conservation programs protecting remaining populations are fundamentally welfare programs, preventing future suffering from disease and population crash. Supporting vaccination research offers the most sustainable long-term solution.

What You Can Do

Support red squirrel conservation charities in stronghold areas
Report red squirrel sightings to conservation monitoring programs
Advocate for squirrelpox vaccination research funding