Potential red squirrel extinction

There are two species of squirrel in the UK: the Red Squirrel and the Grey Squirrel. The red squirrel is native to Britain, but its population has declined since the middle of the last century as the American grey squirrel expanded its range across the mainland. The grey squirrel is widely accepted as the main reason for the decline of the red squirrel over the past century. This is because:

• Grey squirrels compete with red squirrels for food and shelter and push them out to other areas
• Grey squirrels carry the squirrelpox virus and transmit this to red squirrels. The virus does not appear to impact grey squirrels but is fatal for red squirrels.

Grey squirrels are also responsible for damage to broadleaf woodlands by stripping bark in the areas they inhabit.

Policy on wildlife is devolved, and this briefing concentrates on policy relating to squirrels in England.