FAQ: Are red squirrels an endangered species?
If nothing is done it is predicted that red squirrels could become extinct on mainland Scotland within 50 years. Red squirrels are still common in Europe and are not classed as an endangered species at a worldwide level. However grey squirrels are beginning to spread through the forests of Northern Italy and, as in the UK, this appears to be at the expense of the native red squirrel. It is thought that grey squirrels will soon be established in the vast continuous swathes of forest across the Alps giving them a foothold into other European countries. If this happens it is likely that in the future the rest of Europe may be facing a similar problem to the UK, with only small ‘pocket’ populations of red squirrels remaining.
The red squirrel is one of the first species identified as requiring conservation under the UK Biodiversity Action Plan, and the UK government has signed up to the Convention on Biological Diversity which obligates signatory nations to take care of their native wildlife.
Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels (SSRS) aims to halt the decline of red squirrel populations in key areas of north Scotland and improve habitat conditions to allow red squirrels to thrive and increase in number. This project is part of Scotland's Species Action Framework, which sets out a strategic approach to species management in Scotland.
