After escaping a zoo enclosure in 1971, a small number of grey squirrels quickly gained a foothold in Aberdeen. Since 2009, SSRS has worked with local partners to reduce grey squirrel population density and distribution in the north east. Our work to date has been very successful, and we are now aiming to completely eradicate […]
In this guest blog we hear from Sam Mitchell from the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS). Sam is part of the fantastic team working with SSRS to support red squirrel conservation across Scotland. Red squirrels are undoubtedly one of the UK’s most iconic and beloved species, being firmly linked in our collective consciousness to […]
We recently welcomed a new Eradication Coordinator to our North East team to lead on the intensive surveying and monitoring work to remove the island population of grey squirrels in Aberdeen and the surrounding areas. Stephany Arroyo Arce, North East Eradication Coordinator “For the past ten years I’ve been immersed in the fascinating world […]
With the colder weather covering much of Scotland these last couple of weeks, the crisp air, the flurries of snow, and the loss of the autumnal-coloured leaves lets us know that winter is well on its way! And for our red squirrels, somewhat surprisingly, winter isn’t a season to completely rest. Find out more in […]
The last few months have seen a few staffing changes in our scurry, including a new Community Coordination and Outreach Officer who will be focusing on our eradication work in Aberdeen, and a new Programme Manager to head up the SSRS team! Find out more in their own words: Programme Manager: Gail Turney “Following several years […]
The award-winning environmental charity Trees for Life stands at the forefront of rewilding in the Scottish Highlands, and for over 30 years has been working to nurture and expand ancient woodland fragments and reintroduce missing animals. Red squirrels are an iconic Scottish species and a key resident of the Caledonian forest, but habitat loss from deforestation, […]
Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels (SSRS) is calling on the public to get outside, explore nature, and take part in its annual nationwide Great Scottish Squirrel Survey next week. In a year with red and grey squirrels appearing in unexpected places, and the first death in Fife of a red squirrel due to squirrelpox, public sightings […]
Spring is an exciting time for our beloved red squirrels! From playful courtships in the trees to adorable new-born kits taking their first steps in the world, these furry creatures are busy as bees during the season of transformation. Want to know more about the behaviour of red squirrels in spring? Here’s a guide to […]
Since 2017 SSRS has helped establish 17 dedicated and enthusiastic volunteer Local Network Groups across the south of Scotland, providing them with training and support to control grey squirrels and monitor, promote and protect red squirrels where they live. As our latest 2022-24 SSRS Transition Phase comes to an end, all volunteer groups […]
Over £1m in new funding has been announced to aid red squirrel conservation efforts in key areas across Scotland for the next two years. A total grant of £1,052,796 has been awarded by the Scottish Government’s Nature Restoration Fund, managed by NatureScot, which supports the restoration of wildlife and habitats across the country. The new […]
