Help safeguard red squirrels for future generations

Red squirrels are an endangered species and have been pushed out of their native habitats in the southern half of the British mainland.
Native species...red squirrel numbers have dwindled in the UK but the RSST hopes that, with the public's help, it can save the species from extinction. (Pic: Peter Trimming)Native species...red squirrel numbers have dwindled in the UK but the RSST hopes that, with the public's help, it can save the species from extinction. (Pic: Peter Trimming)
Native species...red squirrel numbers have dwindled in the UK but the RSST hopes that, with the public's help, it can save the species from extinction. (Pic: Peter Trimming)

Numbers now stand at around 140,000 across the UK, down from an all-time high of 3.5 million.

So the Red Squirrel Survival Trust is launching a campaign during National Red Squirrel Awareness Week to accelerate efforts to prevent the extinction of this endangered species.

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From September 21 to 27, the charity will raise awareness of the species by featuring interviews with leading conservationists from every corner of the British Isles.

And you can get involved by attending a dedicated webinar on red squirrel conservation, reaching out to your local squirrel group to find out how you can help, by donating to the RSST and spreading knowledge on the work being done on social media.

To survive, red squirrels need support from local communities and the public.

That is why the RSST will also be celebrating the achievements of hundreds of volunteer groups, which are safeguarding these animals for future generations.

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David Bliss, RSST Trustee, said: “We are very excited about this year’s campaign, especially as after lockdown there is a general and growing feeling of the essential importance of green spaces and nature to our well-being as a nation.

“While some of us are very familiar with the plight of the red squirrel, much of the public is in the dark about the details of the threat from grey squirrels and what is being done about it.

“Sustaining red squirrel populations depends on raising awareness so we are looking forward to exhibiting the fantastic work being done.”

The broad-leafed woodlands that provide squirrels with their habitat are being devastated by the ‘bark stripping’ behaviours of the greys, exposing trees to pathogens.

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Greys are also responsible for transmitting the squirrel pox virus that exclusively affects the reds and is usually fatal.

RSST is raising funds to sustain promising research into regulating grey squirrel fertility, along with the UK Squirrel Accord.

To find out how you can help, visit www.rsst.org.uk.

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