Red Squirrels' Fight: UK's New Plan vs. Grey Invasion

The UK government has introduced a new action plan aimed at conserving the nation's red squirrel population. This initiative focuses on increasing vital woodland habitats and implementing measures to remove non-native grey squirrels from areas where red squirrels still survive, predominantly in northern England and Scotland.

Grey squirrels, introduced from other countries, have significantly impacted native red squirrels by outcompeting them for food and transmitting squirrelpox, a disease fatal to reds. Once numbering 3.4 million, the red squirrel population has dwindled to an estimated 287,000, with most residing in Scotland.

Conservation groups, while acknowledging the plan as a positive development, stress that it needs to go further. They are calling for increased funding to support volunteer efforts and landowners actively working to protect red squirrels. Concerns remain about the swift and effective delivery of these commitments on the ground.

Promising research includes developing contraceptive vaccines for grey squirrels to control breeding and reintroducing pine martens. Pine martens have a natural predatory relationship with grey squirrels, while red squirrels are nimble enough to avoid them, thus offering a dual benefit for red squirrel recovery.