Britain’s First Save Our Red Squirrels Day Announced - sign the petition!

Britain will mark its first ever Save Our Reds Day this spring, as campaigners warn the country is in danger of losing one of its most iconic native mammals within a generation.

The new national awareness day, announced by journalist, author and campaigner Marie Carter-Robb, will take place on Friday 15 May 2026, and every third Friday in May thereafter, aligning with Endangered Species Day.

The launch comes amid growing public concern over the steep decline of red squirrels, with a campaign petition nearing 75,000 signatures.

At the centre of the campaign is a stark message aimed at correcting what organisers say is one of the biggest misunderstandings about Britain’s wildlife: red and grey squirrels are not simply different versions of the same animal.

“This is not about losing a colour,” said Marie Carter-Robb.

“We are losing a native species.

“Too many people still assume red and grey squirrels are simply different versions of the same animal. They are not.

“The grey squirrel is an invasive species introduced to Britain in the Victorian era, and its spread has played a devastating role in the collapse of our native reds.

“That is exactly why we need Save Our Reds Day: to raise awareness, correct misunderstandings, and build stronger support for protecting red squirrel habitat before it is too late.”

Once numbering around 3.5 million across Britain at the turn of the 20th century, red squirrels have seen their population crash to just 120,000 to 150,000 today. In contrast, grey squirrels, introduced from North America, now number an estimated 2.7 million.

The spread of greys has forced reds into isolated strongholds in northern England, Scotland and a handful of island refuges. As well as outcompeting reds for food and habitat, grey squirrels carry squirrelpox, a virus that is harmless to them but frequently fatal to their native counterparts.

The campaign has already attracted political backing, including from Michelle Scrogham, MP for Barrow and Furness, where red squirrel numbers continue to decline.

“Red squirrels are one of Britain’s most iconic native species, yet their survival is increasingly under threat from habitat loss and inconsistent protection.

"What this campaign makes clear is that we already have many of the tools we need – including biodiversity commitments such as the 20% woodland set-aside – but they must be properly enforced if they are to make a real difference.

"Alongside emerging approaches such as disease mitigation and fertility control, we now need practical, joined-up action to protect and restore red squirrel habitats.

"I am pleased to support Save Our Reds Day and the growing public call to secure a future for this much-loved species.”

Support for the campaign is also building among conservationists and wildlife advocates.

Filmmaker Terry Abraham said:

“Our native red squirrels really ought to be the ambassadors of nature conservation within the UK.

“As many of us know, us humans have caused lots of harm to nature within our beautiful and renowned green isles and just as we have caused issues we must now seek to address it. And that includes our precious native flora and fauna - of which our delightful and cute native red scamps are a part of.”

Campaigners say the crisis is being exacerbated by a lack of consistent protection for habitats, despite legal safeguards for the animals themselves.

Sue Fowler, a conservationist based in County Durham, warned that without stronger intervention, vital habitats could disappear unnoticed.

“Without local eyes on the ground, many red squirrel habitats would be lost without anyone noticing. Volunteers are doing everything we can – but we need proper policy and protections in place before it’s too late.”

Save Our Reds Day forms part of a wider grassroots movement, which includes the newly established Save Our Reds CIC, aimed at driving long-term awareness, education and conservation efforts.

Campaigners argue that while it is illegal to kill a red squirrel, the destruction of habitats in areas where they live can still proceed with insufficient scrutiny and urgency.

The new awareness day is intended to bring the issue into the national spotlight through media coverage, schools and community engagement, as well as growing political pressure.

Marie added: “Red squirrels are part of Britain’s ecological and cultural inheritance. They belong in our woods, in our folklore and in our future.

“Save Our Reds Day is about making sure people understand the truth. This is not a harmless change in colour. Britain is at risk of losing one of its most iconic native mammals altogether.”

Find out more at https://saveourreds.uk