New interactive map reveals collapse of England’s red squirrel population

A new interactive map created by the Save Our Reds campaign reveals the long- term collapse of Britain’s native red squirrel population, showing clearly how their range has shrunk over the past 150 years.

View the map: https://saveourreds.netlify.app

Once widespread across the UK, red squirrels are now confined to isolated pockets. Our map traces that retreat over time, laying bare just how little habitat remains where reds can survive.

This comes as Natural England’s Red Squirrel Recovery Strategy (14 April 2026) warns that, under a “do nothing” scenario, red squirrels could disappear from mainland England within a generation.

Read the report: https://naturalengland.blog.gov.uk/2026/04/14/england-red-squirrel-recovery-strategy/

Marie Carter-Robb, founder of the Save Our Reds campaign, said:

“The map is shocking. It makes the reality impossible to ignore. This is not theoretical. Without action, we will lose our red squirrels.”

Full story: petsmag.co.uk/new-map-reveals-decline-englands-red-squirrel-population/