Saving Scotland's Red Squirrels

The red squirrel is fighting for survival -
only 121,000 remain in Scotland!

Visit SSRS's offical website or record your squirrel sightings

We are trying to save Scotland’s only native squirrel species, but what we can do depends on the support we receive from everyone. Donate NOW and help save red squirrels!

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The red squirrel was once a common sight across all of mainland Britain, occupying a long-established and natural position within the UK’s wildlife and landscape as our only native squirrel species. A charismatic and endearing creature, red squirrels inspire an enthusiasm and appreciation for our native wildlife

Today, red squirrels are now sadly absent from many areas of Britain including most of England and Scotland’s central belt. Reds have been eradicated from these areas due to the spread of the grey squirrel, a species introduced to Britain in the 19th century. The presence of greys triggers the rapid decline of red squirrel numbers, as greys outcompete reds for food and habitat as well as carrying squirrelpox virus – a virus lethal to reds which does not harm greys. Find out more about the differences between reds and greys through our species factsheet

Now only 121,000 are thought to remain in Scotland, accounting for 75% of Britain’s red squirrel population. Our country is the only haven left for the red squirrels, with areas in the north still remaining grey-free. But greys are on the move! We must act now to protect the red squirrels we have left. If we do nothing, we may have no red squirrels left in Scotland within a lifespan.

Saving Scotland's Red Squirrels project

Scottish Wildlife Trust has joined forces with Scottish Natural Heritage, Forestry Commission Scotland and The Scottish Rural Property and Business Association to undertake the first nationally co-ordinated attempt to save Scotland’s red squirrels.

Our project aims to stop the decline of red squirrels in Scotland and help them to expand across the country in the future. To do this, we will be encouraging landowners to undertake woodland management techniques to develop habitats which will help red squirrels thrive. We will also promote a strategic approach to grey squirrel management. Our grey squirrel control activity will be confined to the minimum level of control that is required to protect our reds, concentrating on the key dispersal routes of grey squirrels travelling northwards. Find out more by viewing our squirrel distribution maps

Our project aims for the next three years are to:

protect existing red squirrel populations in the Highlands, Argyll, North-East Scotland and northern Tayside
improve and share our knowledge and understanding of squirrel management
increase the involvement of private foresters and woodland owners in conservation efforts for red squirrels
increase our knowledge of the distribution of squirrels in Scotland and maintain a process for recording and disseminating this information
promote the project to the public

How you can help

The red squirrel needs as much help as possible if it is to survive in Scotland for the future. The amount of funding available to save the squirrel will be a deciding factor on what the project can achieve. Our activities will buy more time for our red friend as we try to ensure red squirrels are part of Scotland's future. Donate NOW and help save red squirrels!

If you wish to donate but do not want to use the online facility or you would like to sign up to make a long-term commitment and pay a regular sum by Direct Debit, please download this form, complete and return it to Membership, Scottish Wildlife Trust, Cramond House, 3 Kirk Cramond, Edinburgh EH4 6HZ.

If you would like to receive e-updates, please send an email to squirrels@swt.org.uk

For more information, please contact Mel Tonkin, Saving Red Squirrel's Project Manager, on 0131 312 4733.

For media enquiries, please contact Nicola McGovern, PR Officer, on 0131 312 4742.