Wildlife Welfare

Wild Red Squirrel Conservation and Welfare

Red squirrel conservation in the UK combines habitat management, supplementary feeding, and grey squirrel control to protect a species in severe decline.

Key Facts

Red squirrels are now largely confined to northern England, Scotland, and a few island refugia
Competition from grey squirrels and squirrelpox virus are the primary threats
Supplementary feeding at red squirrel monitoring stations builds population data
Conifer forests with low grey squirrel densities are key red squirrel strongholds
Captive breeding programs provide animals for reintroduction into managed areas

Welfare Considerations

Red squirrel conservation involves welfare considerations for both the target species and the grey squirrels that must be managed. The welfare of individual animals within a conservation framework must be considered, with humane methods prioritized.

What You Can Do

Support red squirrel conservation trusts in your region
Volunteer for squirrel monitoring and supplementary feeding programs
Advocate for red squirrel stronghold protection in planning and land use decisions