A new report that will help lead future conservation work to protect red squirrels in northern England has been published today (Wednesday 16th September).
The report, A review of Red Squirrel Conservation Activity in Northern England, evaluates the recent work of various organisations involved in red squirrel conservation in northern England.
The study was carried out by Central Science Laboratory (now part of FERA)1 and involved the UK’s leading squirrel experts. The work was funded by Natural England, Forestry Commission, Save Our Squirrels and the European Squirrel Initiative and overseen by a group that included all the funders plus Northern Red Squirrels, the Red Squirrel Protection Partnership and Northumberland Wildlife Trust.
Red squirrels are still widely found throughout the North of England and the report confirms that regional initiatives have played a vital role in ensuring that people can still see these mammals across the region.
The report includes a series of recommendations that the author’s believe will improve red squirrel conservation for the future.
The recommendations include:
- ensuring there are standardised techniques to survey the abundance and distribution of red and grey squirrels;
- adopting a clear, strategic approach to the conservation of red squirrels,
- carrying out detailed monitoring of grey squirrel control. The report’s authors say that grey squirrel control is an essential part of a future strategy and needs to be carefully planned, scientifically monitored and carried out in collaboration with similar projects in Scotland.
The report also suggests a number of areas for improvement, including the need for closer co-operation between the various groups and the need for additional funding for priority work.
Tony Laws, Natural England’s Area Manager for the North East Region, said:
“This report will not only help refresh the existing red squirrel conservation work in northern England but provides a new sense of purpose and provides information on which to base a strong strategy for the future. Natural England and the Forestry Commission are working with red squirrel conservation groups to use the findings and recommendations in the report to improve the effectiveness of red squirrel conservation work in Northern England. It is clear that adequate resources are needed for red squirrel conservation, that the excellent work of organisations involved in this work needs greater integration and coordination, and that we need to be better at measuring what has been achieved.”
Richard Pow of The Forestry Commission said:
“This is a timely review of recent red squirrel conservation work and we are grateful to everyone who contributed to this important report. The red squirrel is one of our most beautiful native species and an iconic symbol for the north of England. The review gives us a good deal of assurance about the work that has taken place so far but also offers plenty of food for thought and some far-reaching recommendations. We are already taking action in response to the recommendations and look forward to continued work with partners to secure the future of the species in England.”
New initiatives will be underway soon as a result of the report’s recommendations. For example, a review of the current network of red squirrel reserves will ensure that the correct locations have been identified and a new conservation mapping project to record grey squirrel control activity will put in place.
Ends
NOTES TO EDITOR
- The report, A review of Red Squirrel Conservation Activity in Northern England, was produced in April by Central Science Laboratory which is now part of the Food and Environment Research Agency (Fera) www.fera.defra.gov.uk/
- Natural England works for people, places and nature to conserve and enhance biodiversity, landscapes and wildlife in rural, urban, coastal and marine areas. We conserve and enhance the natural environment for its intrinsic value, the wellbeing and enjoyment of people, and the economic prosperity it brings. For further information about Natural England please visit: www.naturalengland.org.uk
- The Forestry Commission is the government department for forestry in Great Britain. For further information visit www.forestry.gov.uk
- The report can be viewed here: NERC019 - Review of red squirrel conservation activity in northern England
- Red Squirrel Fact File
- Organisations actively involved in red squirrel conservation work in northern England, include the the Wildlife Trusts (operating the Save our Squirrels project), the Red Squirrel Protection Partnership, local voluntary groups represented by Northern Red Squirrels, the Red Squirrel Survival Trust, Forestry Commission and Natural England.
- The red squirrel is the UK’s only native squirrel but it is in danger of becoming extinct if action is not taken to protect it.
- The number of red squirrels has rapidly declined in the UK due to the presence and spread of the grey squirrel, a species introduced from North America in the 19th Century
- The grey squirrel is replacing the red through a combination of competition and disease. Squirrelpox seems to be carried by greys but is deadly to reds; where it is present, greys replace reds 20 times faster than otherwise.
- Grey squirrels have least advantage over reds in large conifer plantations and a reserves-based strategy focuses on such sites.
Media contacts:
Forestry Commission: Stuart Burgess, Media officer on 01223 346027 or 07785 748351. Richard Pow, Forestry Commission Regional Development Manager on 07831 216024
Natural England: David Hirst, Communications Officer on 0300 0601720. Tony Laws, Area Team Manager on 0300 0600894