a) The conservation status of red squirrels
The red squirrel is highly valued by the people of Scotland and by visitors, and is seen by some as one of Scotland’s ‘iconic’ species. It is also one of the most threatened mammals in the UK.
The population in Scotland is thought to be around 120,000 animals. Because of marked losses from the rest of the UK, this represents an ever-increasing proportion of the UK population of red squirrels – at least 75% at the last estimate.
The red squirrel is listed on Appendix III of the Bern Convention and is protected by Schedules 5 and 6 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act. It is a Species Action Plan species under the UK Biodiversity Action Plan and has been identified as a species of conservation concern in the Scottish Government’s Species Action Framework.
b) The threat from grey squirrels
The chief threat to red squirrels is the introduced grey squirrel. In most habitats, ecological competition from the larger, more adaptable grey squirrel means that when the two species come into contact, grey squirrels normally displace red squirrels within 15-20 years.
Grey squirrels can also carry the squirrelpox virus, which is lethal to red squirrels. Local red squirrel populations can be lost within a year in the presence of squirrelpox.
The maps below show the current distribution of grey squirrels and squirrelpox in Scotland:
Map 1. Distribution of grey squirrels in Scotland
See the Scottish Squirrel Survey distribution map.
Map 2. Squirrelpox records in Scotland
Though grey squirrel records are marked in both England and Scotland, the squirrelpox status is only marked for records in Scotland.
See the squirrelpox records map (PDF 3.8Mb)
c) Grey Squirrel Control Strategy
Work is underway to control grey squirrels, to prevent the spread of squirrelpox and to reduce the competitive pressure on red squirrels. The locations and rationale for this work will be set out in Scottish Natural Heritage's forthcoming Grey Squirrel Control Strategy. This consultation is not seeking views on grey squirrel control.
Much of the grey squirrel control work is being co-ordinated through the Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels project; a partnership between Scottish Wildlife Trust, Scottish Natural Heritage, Forestry Commission Scotland and the Scottish Rural Property and Business Association. In South Scotland the Red Squirrels in South Scotland project is working to contain the squirrelpox virus.
The maps below summarise the priorities for grey squirrel control:
- Grey squares show grey squirrel records
- Red dotted lines show the proposed line of containment
- Cross-hatched red areas show the grey squirrel control zones.
Map 3a. Draft grey squirrel control strategy map - North and Central Scotland
View full scale version of the draft north and central Scotland control strategy map (PDF 756k).
Map 3b. Draft grey squirrel control strategy map - South Scotland
View full scale version of the draft south Scotland control strategy map (PDF 662k).
Red squirrel strongholds are a contingency plan in case, despite these measures, grey squirrels spread further in Scotland. Strongholds are not an alternative to grey squirrel control.
- Continue to 3. How do strongholds fit into a wider strategy?
