Wild Animal Welfare

Wild Red Squirrel Conservation and Individual Welfare

Red squirrels face displacement by grey squirrels and squirrelpox virus - conservation efforts directly benefit individual red squirrel welfare.

Key Facts

Red squirrels are functionally extinct across most of England and Wales
Squirrelpox virus carried asymptomatically by grey squirrels kills red squirrels
Stronghold populations in Scotland, Northumberland, and island reserves are holding
Grey squirrel contraceptive baiting is being trialled as a humane management alternative
Targeted grey squirrel control in red squirrel strongholds is controversial but effective

Welfare Considerations

Individual red squirrels facing squirrelpox suffer a painful, rapid death. Conservation interventions including disease management and habitat protection directly reduce this individual-level suffering.

What You Can Do

Support Saving Scotland's Red Squirrels and similar conservation organisations
Avoid releasing captive grey squirrels in red squirrel stronghold areas
Report red squirrel sightings to population monitoring schemes