Red squirrels face extinction in England due to invasive gray species
Dr Kat Hamill explains why red squirrel populations have vanished from most of England and how gray squirrels threaten their survival.
Historical range has collapsed sharply
The Eurasian red squirrel was once found across England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland with numbers in the millions. Today the species has disappeared from as much as 95 percent of its former range in England. Only around 287000 red squirrels remain in Britain with fewer than 40000 living in England.
Gray squirrels drive population decline
Eastern gray squirrels from North America arrived in the late 19th century and caused the biggest change for native populations. The red squirrel is classified as endangered in England and Wales while gray squirrels continue to expand their territory.
Scotland holds most remaining numbers
Scotland is now home to around 75 percent of Britain's remaining red squirrel population. Smaller groups survive in northern England, parts of Wales and Northern Ireland along with a few offshore islands.
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