Wildlife Welfare

Wild Red Squirrel Conservation and Welfare

Red squirrels are declining across the UK due to competition and squirrelpox virus from introduced grey squirrels, requiring intervention for population survival.

Key Facts

Red squirrel numbers have fallen from millions to approximately 120,000 in the UK
Squirrelpox virus is carried asymptomatically by grey squirrels but is fatal to red squirrels
Red squirrels are now largely restricted to northern England and Scotland
Grey squirrel control is necessary for red squirrel survival in mixed areas
Supplementary feeding and nest box provision support red squirrel populations

Welfare Considerations

Red squirrels dying from squirrelpox suffer respiratory distress, conjunctivitis, and lesions before death - a significant individual welfare burden. Population-level decline causes welfare suffering at scale. Grey squirrel management to prevent virus transmission, while itself involving lethal control with welfare implications, is necessary to prevent greater suffering in red squirrel populations.

What You Can Do

Support red squirrel conservation organisations including the Red Squirrel Survival Trust
Report red or grey squirrel sightings to population monitoring schemes
Advocate for red squirrel priority zones in relevant policy areas