Northumberland red squirrel survival ‘down to four pensioners’

A small group of conservationists claim to be the last line of defence for struggling red squirrel populations.

Invasive grey squirrels out-compete and kill the native red species, causing their numbers to dwindle.

The greys are carriers of the Squirrelpox virus, which is fatal to red squirrels, causing a slow and painful death.

Alongside conservation methods such as supplementary feeding, the team actively trap and kill grey squirrels to help save the reds.

“I passionately believe we’ve got to do what we can to preserve the reds, so that’s why I do it,” said Janet Fenwicke-Clennell, from Coquetdale Squirrel Group.

Most conservation organisations in Northumberland carry out the culling of grey squirrels themselves or allow others to do it on their land. They are classified as an invasive non-native species and it is not illegal to kill them.

Some charities believe this is cruel and say there is no excuse for killing animals to boost numbers of another species.

Video produced by Alex Challies & Jo Lonsdale.

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