In a positive development for the Scottish Highlands, rewilding charity Trees for Life has reported a significant increase in the range of red squirrels. According to surveys conducted over the past decade, over a dozen new populations of red squirrels have been established and are thriving in the region. The charity has successfully reintroduced the species to 13 new sites, resulting in a 25% increase in their range.
The latest reintroductions this year have seen Trees for Life relocate a total of 259 red squirrels to previously uninhabited areas in the northwest Highlands. These efforts have resulted in the presence of red squirrels as far north as Ullapool and Brora, multiple locations on the northwest coast, Morvern to the southwest, and all suitable habitats in the central Highlands as far north as Lairg.
Becky Priestley, representative for Trees for Life, expressed her optimism about the success of the reintroduction project, stating, “This rewilding success story is offering hope for the long-term survival of Scotland’s much-loved red squirrels, and shows how we can make a real and positive difference to our native wildlife.”
In line with their efforts to restore Scotland’s natural biodiversity, Trees for Life plans to expand the range of red squirrels even further as part of their ambitious new Missing Species Programme for the Highlands. This program aims to bring back four of Scotland’s keystone animals that are either partially or completely missing from the region.
Despite being an iconic Scottish species, the red squirrel population was severely depleted by historic habitat loss and human persecution. Their recovery is still at risk due to competition from non-native grey squirrels, which also carry a fatal squirrel pox virus.
Under a NatureScot license, Trees for Life carefully relocates small numbers of red squirrels from healthy populations around Inverness-shire, Moray, and Strathspey to suitable woodlands in the north and northwest. This ensures their safety from competition with greys, as red squirrels avoid crossing large open spaces.
The latest reintroductions this year saw 12 red squirrels released into woodlands along the coast from Letterfearn to Ratagan on the Glenelg peninsula. This was done to strengthen the population after seven squirrels were released the previous autumn. The charity ensures that prior consultations are carried out at each release site and only healthy animals are relocated.
Since the project’s launch in 2015, Trees for Life has established new populations of red squirrels in Shieldaig, Coulin, Plockton, Inverewe, Reraig, Attadale, Letterewe, Lochaline, Spinningdale, Golspie, Arisaig, Drimnin, and Ratagan. Combined with the earlier work of the Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation, over 340 red squirrels have been relocated to 16 new sites in the Highlands since 2008.
Becky Priestley highlighted the role played by community volunteers in the success of the project, stating, “Our local community volunteers have been at the heart of this project – from identifying donor sites to helping with supplementary feeding and taking part in citizen science by reporting sightings and monitoring camera traps.”
In addition to the red squirrel reintroductions, Trees for Life has also created a detailed map of their distribution in the Highlands. This will serve as a valuable resource for future restoration initiatives. The charity’s surveys have also revealed the positive impact of reforestation on red squirrel populations, as they help plant new trees by forgetting where they have buried their winter stores of nuts and seeds.
In November, Trees for Life announced their plans to launch a £3.6 million Missing Species Programme for the Highlands, focusing on red squirrels, lynx, beavers, and modern-day aurochs. To kickstart this initiative, the charity has launched a supporter appeal to raise an initial £25,000, while also reaching out to major funders for support.
For more information on the Missing Species Programme, visit treesforlife.org.uk/missing-species.