The British island where red squirrels are thriving
Jersey is an important refuge for red squirrels, which are endangered in the UK and feared to be at risk of extinction in England. The island’s population thrives largely because grey squirrels, which carry a virus deadly to red squirrels, are absent.
Red squirrels were introduced to Jersey in 1885 and are now considered naturalised. Around 120,000 to 160,000 remain in the UK, with about 75% living in Scotland. On Jersey, woodland and inland valleys provide habitat, while nature reserves, rope bridges, low speed limits and local support help protect them; the JSPCA has handled 50 squirrels this year, including eight hand-reared young.
- Jersey’s red squirrels thrive without grey squirrels.
- The species is endangered across the UK.
- Local habitat and community support help sustain them.
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Red squirrels are native to Britain, but their numbers have fallen sharply since grey squirrels were introduced from North America. Grey squirrels compete for food and can carry squirrelpox, a virus that is usually fatal to red squirrels but rarely harms greys.
Jersey is a British Crown Dependency in the Channel Islands, where red squirrels were brought in during the late 19th century and have since become established. The island has no grey squirrels, and its woods and inland valleys provide places for red squirrels to live.
The contrast matters because red squirrels are endangered in the UK, with most of the remaining population in Scotland. Jersey’s experience shows how the absence of grey squirrels, alongside local habitat and conservation efforts, can help the species persist.