Please note that the photographs in this presentation are subject to

Please note that the photographs in this
presentation are subject to copyright and
should not be reproduced in any form.
Red Squirrel Conservation in the
Yorkshire Dales National Park
Matt Neale - Area Ranger
Red Squirrels in the UK
The Red Squirrel Sciurus
vulgaris, native species
Non-native grey squirrel
introduced
Red decline
Some strongholds in UK
Population estimate 160,000 in
Britain
Squirrel Identification
Red Squirrel Ecology
• Conifer woodland
• Diet
• Food supply
• Breeding
Grey Squirrels in Yorkshire
Introductions in:
•
•
•
•
Malton in 1906,
Bedale in 1913,
Bingley in 1914,
Hebden Bridge in
1921.
Squirrelpox Virus
• Greys immune, lethal
to reds
• Highly infectious
• Major threat to Red
Squirrel populations.
Photo by William Lee
Red Squirrel Strongholds
Stronghold Management
• Resources
• Habitat improvements
• Monitor populations
• Public access
Woodland Management
–
–
–
–
Scots Pine
Corsican Pine
Norway Spruce
Larch
Hair Tube Survey Work
Hair Analysis
• Samples viewed under a
microscope
• In cross section
– Red Squirrel hair is
kidney shaped
– Grey Squirrel hair is
oval shaped
Grey squirrel hair
Red squirrel hair
Snaizeholme Red Squirrel Trail
Snaizeholme Red Squirrel Trail
Snaizeholme Red Squirrel Trail
Increasing the
opportunities for
visitors to see wildlife
in a natural
environment.
Snaizeholme Red
Squirrel Trail leaflet
Other opportunities
Use free images
Link to
yorkshiredales.org.uk
natureinthedales.org.uk
Opportunity to get
involved with red
squirrel conservation
Order a supply of leaflets, from
Dales Countryside Museum
Get hold of your free copyright
free images and text or link to
our websites
Consider hosting a pin badge
box or sponsoring the squirrel
feed for a month
Go and see the red squirrels!
Thank you
[email protected]