The licensed red squirrel reintroductions each move small numbers of animals from healthy populations around Inverness-shire, Moray and Strathspey to suitable woods in the north and north-west, where they are safe from greys. Red squirrels cannot reach these havens without help because they fear crossing large open spaces.<\/p>\n
The squirrels are given a health check before being moved, and different donor sites are used to ensure genetic diversity. Once in their new homes, they are given extra food for a few months to help them settle.<\/p>\n
Before the reintroductions, the reds were missing from most of their former range in the north and north-west Highlands, with the last recorded sightings generally from the 1970s.<\/p>\n The squirrel reintroductions could help forests naturally expand because reds plant new trees by forgetting where they have buried some of their winter stores of nuts and seeds.<\/p>\n The Animal and Plant Health Agency announced a breakthrough in the battle against grey squirrels in September after an oral contraceptive freely eaten in bait by rats was shown to be effective. The contraceptive also caused a reaction in greys, and researchers are refining the formula to increase its effectiveness.<\/p>\n Conservationists warned in 2024 that squirrel pox could wipe out reds in England. However, an isolated population of about 3,500 is thriving on the Isle of Wight.<\/p>\n