Red squirrels 'close to extinction' in England
Red squirrels in England are at risk of extinction within 25 years, with only 15,000 estimated to remain in the country, according to conservation group Save Our Reds. The decline is primarily due to grey squirrels, which carry the deadly squirrelpox virus, as well as habitat loss and weak enforcement of protections. The group is calling for a coordinated national plan, including grey squirrel management and vaccine development, to prevent further decline.
- ▪Red squirrels could disappear from England within 25 years, with only 15,000 estimated to remain in the country.
- ▪The introduction of non-native grey squirrels from North America has spread the squirrelpox virus, which is fatal to red squirrels.
- ▪Habitat loss and insufficient enforcement of existing protections are exacerbating the decline of red squirrel populations.
- ▪Save Our Reds is urging the government to implement a national plan involving grey squirrel population control and investment in a squirrelpox vaccine.
- ▪Defra states it is supporting fertility control research and managing habitats to help red squirrel populations in Cumbria and Northumberland.
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Red squirrels 'close to extinction' in EnglandJust nowShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleNaj ModakNorth East and CumbriaSave Our RedsA petition calling for urgent action has attracted more than 75,000 signaturesEngland's red squirrels are close to extinction and the government needs to do more to protect them, an animal welfare group said. A petition set up by Save Our Reds, has attracted more than 75,000 signatures, urging more action.Founder of the campaign Marie Carter-Robb, said: "We have a series of urgent actions that need to be brought together into one joined-up national plan."A spokesperson for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), said the government was protecting endangered red squirrels by tackling the threat of non-native grey squirrels.Combining…
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