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Jersey: Red Squirrel Haven as UK Faces Extinction
20 Oct
Summary
- Jersey hosts a thriving red squirrel population, absent of deadly grey squirrels.
- Red squirrels are considered iconic and a major draw for tourists to Jersey.
- Local community support and conservation efforts aid squirrel survival.
Jersey is a crucial stronghold for red squirrels, a species facing endangerment in much of the UK. The island's thriving population is attributed to the absence of grey squirrels, which carry a virus lethal to their red counterparts. Despite not being native, having been introduced in 1885, red squirrels are now considered iconic and naturalized in Jersey.
Conservationists and local residents actively support the red squirrel population. Efforts include providing feeders, creating rope bridges to cross roads, and maintaining low speed limits. The species is legally protected, making it an offense to harm them. These dedicated actions have helped red squirrels become fairly widespread across the island, particularly in inland valleys and woodlands, making Jersey an important refuge.
