09/10/2026
Day 4 of : Let your socials know about red squirrels
Repost some red squirrel conservation content, share our posts to the group chat, help to steer the algorithm so more people become aware of red squirrels
Red squirrels appear in European folklore as messengers, from the Norse god ‘Ratatoskr’, who was said to carry messages along the Tree of Life, to the Irish warrior Queen Medb's squirrels which would relay messages between earth and sky. Today, you can act as the messenger for red squirrels. Read up about them on our website, do your own research online, and leave a digital footprint for these endangered fluffballs
Daily reflection: What conservation practices boost red squirrel populations?
Red squirrels are endangered due to the human-caused introduction of the American grey squirrel between 1876-1929, as well as habitat loss. The grey squirrel has better foraging efficiency than reds, and outcompete red squirrels for food and habitat. Grey squirrels can carry squirrel pox virus, which they are immune to, but is fatal for red squirrels. This disease is the main cause of red squirrel decline across the British Isles
To mitigate the spread of squirrel pox, grey squirrel populations are managed by shooting and trapping individuals. Grey squirrel management must be carried out humanely using approved methods only. More recently, alternative management methods are being researched, such as a fertility control method, a squirrel pox vaccine, and a gene drive for grey squirrels where new grey squirrels would all be born male. Additionally, pine marten reintroductions have been shown to reduce grey squirrel numbers; grey squirrels, having not co-evolved with pine martens as a natural predator, are more easily predated on. As grey squirrel management increases, red squirrel reintroductions can also take place to boost populations.
You can read more at https://squirrelaccord.uk/squirrels/grey-squirrel-management/
BONUS: Attend UK Squirrel Accord's webinar today at 11:30! https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_WNETlIRfQfq6syw4if8DxA #/registration
Photo credit: Gordon Roach
