England – Red Squirrel conservation strategy launched

Red Alert North England, which is made up of wildlife trusts, the Forestry Commission and landowners, has launched North England Red Squirrel Conservation Strategy. The effort is intended to save Britain's native red squirrels from extinction. The species has been declining since American grey squirrels were introduced in the 19th Century and outnumber reds by 66 to 1. The strategy will focus on carefully selected red squirrel reserves in forests in Cumbria, Yorkshire, Merseyside and Northumbria. Management strategies have been worked out which will cancel out the grey squirrel's natural competitive advantage.