The Red Squirrel Survival Trust is a national charity established to ensure the conservation, protection and recovery of the red squirrel in the UK. Our Patron is HRH The Prince of Wales.
Why should we save the red squirrel?
The red squirrel is an iconic and much loved species. It is native to the UK and has been here since the last Ice Age 10,000 years ago. However, reds are now gravely threatened by the invasive grey squirrel. If nothing is done, reds will disappear from mainland Britain within a generation.
RSST work with local groups and charities around the UK to protect red squirrels wherever they are found. Our projects involve strong community support, dedicated leadership, careful habitat management and targeted grey squirrel control. We have found that wherever greys are removed from an area, reds will return of their own accord.
Why are red squirrel reintroductions important?
Reintroductions in areas lost to reds have a vital role to play in increasing the UK red squirrel population. What’s more, evolving conservation techniques mean that reintrodutions are now feasible.
The Anglesey Red Squirrel project in north Wales demonstrates this point. Over the past decade, the island’s red population has increased from around 30 animals to over 300 today. A significant part of this population increase has been achieved through carefully managed red squirrel reintroductions in woods once they had been cleared of greys.
What are the criteria for a reintroduction?
1. A defensible site. A substantial landscape area must be cleared of grey squirrels and kept clear. An island, peninsula, or wooded area surrounded by a buffer zone of open country is ideal.
2. Potential for expansion. Prospects should exist for expansion beyond the initial boundary.
3. Suitable Habitat. Sufficient food, nest sites and shelter must be available, as well as consistent land management.
4. Funding. The project must have been accurately costed and adequate funding must be accessible.
5. People. The support of landowners, farmers, gamekeepers, garden owners and the general public is vital.
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A MESSAGE FROM
HRH THE PRINCE OF WALES
As Patron of the Red Squirrel Survival Trust it gives me great pleasure to support the Cornwall Red Squirrel Project. The importance of preserving Britain’s reds cannot be understated. They are one of the most charming and irresistible of British native mammals and are under ceaseless, pernicious attack by the relentless march of the imported greys which do such untold damage to newly-planted native hardwood trees all over the country.
I am so heartened to learn that the Cornwall Red Squirrel Project has joined in the fight to preserve the reds and I wish them every possible success.
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The Cornwall Red Squirrel Project
The Cornwall Red Squirrel Project (CRSP) is a locally managed project with support from RSST and the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust. It aims to reintroduce red squirrels to The Lizard and West Penwith in west Cornwall. Both areas are peninsulas, and so defensible against greys. They also have woodland habitat that is suitable for reds.
Red squirrel reintroductions can only begin when once greys have been cleared. This process is challenging, and is likely to take at least three years. Controlling greys in the project areas has already begun and CRSP now intends to employ a full time ranger to manage the task.
RSST helped to establish the CRSP, and continues to provide technical advice. We are now conducting a fundraising campaign to support the project.
PRESS RELEASE
RED SQUIRRELS TO RETURN TO CORNWALL
A groundbreaking plan to reintroduce the red squirrel to Cornwall was announced at The Royal Cornwall Show today. The project has the support of HRH Prince of Wales, who is the Patron of the Red Squirrel Survival Trust (RSST).
The Cornwall Red Squirrel Project will reintroduce reds into the Lizard peninsula and west Penwith, and is supported by both RSST and the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust. The project was established following a study by Dr Craig Shuttleworth, RSST’s National Operations Director, which identified the areas as suitable for a reintroduction. Both are surrounded by sea on three sides and can be protected from reinvasion by greys. Captive bred reds will be introduced once all greys have been removed.
The red squirrel – one of Britain’s most appealing mammals – was last sighted in Cornwall in 1984. Its disappearance from the county is largely due to the competitive presence of the invasive grey squirrel. The greys carry a virus which is harmless to them but potentially deadly to reds.
In a statement, HRH The Prince of Wales said: ‘As patron of the Red Squirrel Survival Trust it gives me great pleasure to support the Cornwall Red Squirrel Project. The importance of preserving Britain’s reds cannot be understated. They are one of the most charming and irresistible of British native mammals and are under ceaseless, pernicious attack by the relentless march of the imported greys which do such untold damage to newly-planted native hardwood trees all over the country.’
Charles Williams, Chairman of the Cornwall Red Squirrel Project committee, said: ‘We in Cornwall have seen the interest and pleasure the return of the chough has given to residents and visitors to The Lizard and West Penwith. Let us hope we can achieve the same happy return for the red squirrel.’
Dr Shuttleworth added: ‘While red squirrel reintroductions are not easy, they have far reaching benefits. As well as the boost to local tourists, woodlands also stand to benefit greatly if greys, which do so much damage to young trees, are eradicated from the project areas. RSST also considers red squirrel reintroductions to be strategically important as they show that we can turn the tide in favour of our reds.’