Save our red squirrels

The UK population of these lovely animals has been in decline, but conservation projects are doing vital work to help

- LOUISE MIDGLEY.

Red squirrels have lived in British woodlands for the past 10,000 years. Their cute tufty ears, bushy tail and orange coat have led to their inclusion in numerous children's books, most notably The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin by Beatrix Potter. As a writer and artist, Miss Potter studied these charming little rodents on her travels before publishing her iconic masterpiece in 1903. Sadly, around the same time as the book came out, the population of red squirrels was already beginning to decline.

From 1876 onwards, grey squirrels were being introduced from North America, and the more vigorous species began to outcompete the reds for food and habitats. Perhaps more importantly, they brought with them a deadly squirrel pox virus, which was fatal to the reds but had no effect on their own wellbeing.