Grey squirrels threaten UK red squirrel populations since their 19th-century introduction
Red squirrel numbers in the UK have fallen sharply since grey squirrels were released from North America in the 1800s.
Population decline for native reds
Endangered red squirrel populations have dropped from about 3.5 million to fewer than 300,000 across the United Kingdom. Estimates vary between 15,000 and 39,000 survivors in England alone according to different conservation groups. Grey squirrels continue to thrive while their native cousins face extinction risks.
History of invasive grey arrival
The first verified importation of these animals occurred roughly 150 years ago when a banker released a pair near Macclesfield. These squirrels arrived from the United States and have since multiplied to between 2.5 million and 2.7 million individuals. They compete for habitats and carry viruses that kill red squirrels.
Inability of species to coexist
Experts state that the two squirrel types cannot live together in the same geographic location. Protecting the native red population requires removing or managing the invasive grey competitors effectively. Conservationists warn that the initial release had unintended lasting consequences for local wildlife.
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