Red squirrels are disappearing from much of the UK – and in England, they are now close to being lost altogether.

Once common across the UK, these shy, iconic mammals now cling to survival in just a few woodland strongholds.

They are more than a countryside symbol – they are a national favourite.

Even King Charles has called them “ambassadors for nature”. Their cultural importance is so widely felt that they now feature on the UK’s new commemorative 2p coin.

Once numbering in the millions, red squirrels are now confined to a handful of northern strongholds.

It is only thanks to tireless volunteers, local groups and small charities that red squirrels survive in England at all.

While it is illegal to kill a red squirrel, destroying its habitat is still allowed – and it is happening. Ancient plantations known to support reds are being felled with no mitigation, no reassessment, and no consequence.

Those efforts are being quietly undone.

If we do not act now, we will lose red squirrels from much of the UK. 

This petition calls on the UK Government and devolved authorities to act now to protect and restore red squirrel populations.

Why it matters

Red squirrels are now functionally extinct across most of England. Officially listed as Near Threatened (Woodland Trust), they survive in just a few strongholds in the north where targeted conservation continues.

Core populations remain in Cumbria, Northumberland, County Durham, Lancashire and parts of North Yorkshire.

Their range has shrunk drastically due to habitat loss and the spread of the non-native North American grey squirrel, which outcompetes reds and carries the deadly squirrelpox virus.

DEFRA data shows grey squirrels now outnumber reds in both Cumbria and Northumberland.

These regions offer the last hope for recovery – if we act now to protect and restore habitat.

The quiet crisis

Despite conservation success stories, such as the recovery of reds on Anglesey, serious threats remain.

Forestry England reportedly plans to clear-fell one of the largest red squirrel woodlands in the north.

• At Killhope, County Durham, a thriving red squirrel plantation has already been razed.
• At Pow Hill Bog, reds cling to a fragile strip of woodland, under pressure from recreation and road traffic.
• In Northumberland, several red-supporting conifer plantations have been heavily or entirely felled.

Under the UK Forestry Standard, landowners are advised to retain at least 20% of woodland for biodiversity, but in practice this is often ignored.

The grey squirrel problem

Grey squirrels are not at fault – they were introduced from North America by the Victorians.

However, their impact is severe.

They carry squirrelpox, which is fatal to red squirrels. They strip bark from hardwood trees, causing widespread damage. They contribute to significant property damage, with insurers reporting rising claims.

We have wildlife laws on paper, but they are not being enforced.

What we are calling for

We urge the UK Government and devolved authorities to:

1. Enforce existing legislation, including the Wildlife and Countryside Act and Forest Research Operational Notes, in red squirrel areas
2. Add red squirrels to the Habitats and Species Conservation Regulations 2017, as was done for badgers and beavers in 2022
3. Implement the 20% biodiversity set-aside properly, with oversight and penalties for non-compliance
4. Reform and expand squirrel management grants to support more private landowners in northern England
5. Promote mixed native planting of trees such as Scots pine, hazel and oak to support long-term biodiversity
6. Support accelerated development of a squirrelpox vaccine to protect remaining red squirrel populations
7. Support humane fertility control solutions to manage grey squirrel populations alongside habitat protection

Time to put red squirrels on the national agenda

Most people do not realise the true impact grey squirrels have, or how close we are to losing red squirrels in England entirely.

We do not need to rewrite policy. We need to enforce what already exists. We must protect vital habitat. We must prioritise native biodiversity over short-term gain. We must support practical, science-led solutions to secure their future.

Sign this petition to:

• enforce red squirrel protection laws
• to include red squirrels under the UK’s strongest legal safeguards
• to protect and monitor at least 20% of sustainable woodland for biodiversity
• to stop habitat destruction before it is too late, to support science-led solutions to protect red squirrels and manage grey populations humanely, and to secure a future for one of Britain’s most beloved native species.

To find out more about the campaign, visit saveourreds.uk

Thank you for helping protect our precious reds.