Campaign launched for rare red squirrels to get an emoji

Green news

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The red squirrel emoji campaign aims to raise awareness of the plight of one of the UK's most endangered native animals

(THE WILDLIFE TRUSTS/PA WIRE)

A petition has been launched calling for the creation of a red squirrel emoji as part of efforts to raise awareness for one of the UK's most endangered native mammals.

The campaign, led by The Wildlife Trusts and Center Parcs, say that introducing the animal to the emoji library could help them remain visible in everyday conservations - particularly among younger audiences communicating through digital platforms.

It comes after a Censuswide survey of 2,000 UK children aged eight to 15 found that 34% did not know red squirrels lived in the UK and 33% were unaware or not sure whether the species was endangered here.