Center Parcs and The Wildlife Trusts are calling on the Unicode Consortium to create an official red squirrel emoji – and help protect one of the UK’s most iconic and endangered native mammals. 
 
The red squirrel has long been a symbol of Britain’s woodlands. Despite once numbering an estimated 3.5 million just 150 years ago, today as few as 120,000 remain in the UK. Their dramatic decline has been driven by habitat loss and the introduction of the invasive North American grey squirrel, which carries the deadly squirrelpox virus. We could lose red squirrels completely in the next 10 years without significant conservation and awareness-raising efforts. 
 
And yet there isn’t even a squirrel emoji that represents them. 
 
Currently, smartphones only feature a North American chipmunk emoji. In fact, 86% of British children mistakenly believe the chipmunk emoji is a squirrel.  
 
New research suggests that the species is at risk of being forgotten altogether by the next generation.  

• 34% don’t even know red squirrels live in the UK 
• 33% are unaware or unsure that red squirrels are endangered  
• 40% wrongly believe red squirrels can still be seen all over the UK  

 
Emojis are part of how today’s generation communicates. Adding a red squirrel emoji would be a powerful step toward keeping this much-loved native species visible in everyday digital life, especially among younger audiences. 
 
Red squirrels now survive only in small strongholds in northern England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Conservationists are working tirelessly to plant trees, reconnect habitats and monitor populations, but awareness is critical to their survival.  
 
We cannot allow Britain’s red squirrel to fade from our forests - or from our phones. 
 
By signing this petition, you are calling on the Unicode Consortium to: 

• Create and approve an official red squirrel emoji
• Ensure global platforms can represent this endangered British species
• Help keep red squirrels visible in digital culture and everyday conversation 

Let’s make sure future generations don’t just learn about red squirrels in history books, or mistake them for a chipmunk emoji. 
 
Sign now and help give the red squirrel the recognition it deserves. 🐿️🌲