Red Squirrels In The Spotlight For Awareness Week

Red Squirrel Awareness Week is underway, with the Isle of Wight remaining one of the UK's most important strongholds for the species.

The Wight Squirrel Project says there are between 3,500 and 4,000 red squirrels on the Island, with evidence found in 93 per cent of woodland surveyed last winter.

The population has recovered significantly since the 1990s, but threats include road deaths, habitat loss, disease and grey squirrels.

So far this year, 66 red squirrel road deaths have been recorded, while 18 squirrels have been cared for through the project's rescue and rehabilitation work.

People are being urged to report red squirrel sightings — and any suspected grey squirrels — to help protect the Island's population.