Trending Now

Recovery strategy for red squirrels in England revealed

Fahad Redha

April 23, 2026
3 min read

Recovery strategy for red squirrels in England revealed

The Zoological Society of London (ZSL) has developed and evaluated 18 recovery strategies for the red squirrel. These combine different approaches to grey squirrel management, red squirrel translocations, and emerging tools including fertility control and a potential vaccine for squirrelpox.

These strategies have been assessed at regional as well as national scales in a bid to understand how different levels of ambition and coordination may shape future outcomes for the species.

Beaver Protection Guidance Published by Wildlife Trust

New conservation guidance outlines how beavers can be protected while balancing environmental and land management needs.

Ozone Layer Comeback May Be Held Back by Industrial Chemicals

Scientists warn that emerging industrial emissions could slow the recovery of the ozone layer despite global progress.

White Storks Could Return to London Under Rewilding Efforts

Rewilding initiatives are exploring the potential return of white storks to the London landscape after centuries of absence.

A number of factors are cited as reason for the red squirrel decline, including the introduction of the grey squirrel from North America beginning in 1876 as well as habitat loss and fragmentation.

The analysis has revealed that “large-scale, coordinated suppression” of grey squirrels across England could offer “the greatest potential for widespread red squirrel recovery,” while also cutting down on the “substantial ecological and economic damage caused by the grey squirrel,” according to a press release from the government. It adds that this damage is estimated at being around £37 million in England and Wales annually. However, this approach, while likely to be the most effective, is expected to also be the most expensive.

Encouraging more targeted regional strategies, especially those that combine management of the localised grey squirrel population with red squirrel translocations, can achieve comparable outcomes but at a lower cost. These could offer a more feasible pathway over the short term, especially where resources or support from the public is limited.

The report on red squirrel recovery is available to view on the Nature England Access to Evidence website.

Stay tuned to EyeOnLondon for the latest news and expert opinions.

Subscribe to our YouTube channel for the latest videos and updates!

We value your thoughts! Share your feedback and help us make EyeOnLondon even better!

About Author

Fahad Redha

Fahad is the Content Editor at EyeOnLondon, overseeing the publication’s editorial output across news, culture, and lifestyle. With a background in journalism from the University of the Creative Arts, he brings a broad range of experience from local London reporting in Kensington & Chelsea, where he held roles including motoring, events, and health editor. At EyeOnLondon, Fahad plays a central role in shaping content and maintaining editorial standards. His work spans everything from daily news to feature coverage, with a particular strength in motoring and events. He also incorporates photography into his reporting, adding a visual layer to many of his stories. Fahad joined EyeOnLondon in February 2021.