Report from Chris Smith.
Why Have Red Squirrel Populations Declined?
By Deborah James in the Liverpool Daily Post 23 rd December 2003
THERE are estimated to be just 160,000 red squirrels left in the UK,
with only around 30,000 left in England.
The species once thrived throughout England, until 1876 when two North
American grey squirrels were introduced into Henbury Park, Cheshire.
This was the first of many introductions, during which
the grey firmly established itself as the dominant species.
There are many myths about grey squirrels attacking reds because they
are often seen to chase them but experts say this is normal squirrel
behaviour and grey squirrels do not kill and eat reds.
The problem is that grey squirrels outcompete the reds for food within our forests, especially in
broadleaved woods.
Once grey squirrels become established, they rapidly start to
outnumber the native squirrels and as the population grows, they eat
more of the red squirrels' food.
This is believed to reduce the reds' chances of surviving the winter,
breeding successfully, and young reds finding enough food.
This eventually causes the red squirrels in that area to die out.
In England grey squirrels now outnumber the endangered red squirrel by
66-1. Saving the red squirrel is one of the country's biggest
conservation challenges.
Cumbria and the North East are the last mainland strongholds of the
red squirrel in England. Smaller populations are also found on the
Isle of Wight, Yorkshire, and Formby, where there are estimated to be
around 1,000 left.
© Liverpool Daily News, 23 rd December 2003
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