Jersey's red squirrels are thriving without a grey squirrel on the island
With no grey squirrels to bring squirrelpox, the island's introduced reds are widespread, legally protected, and watched over by neighbors with feeders and rope bridges.
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Jersey is a corner of the British Isles where red squirrels are still a common sight. BBC News reported on October 20, 2026, that the island has no grey squirrels, which carry a virus deadly to reds. Across the UK the red squirrel is endangered, with about 120,000 to 160,000 left in the wild, and about three quarters of those in Scotland.
The animals on Jersey are not native. They were introduced in 1885. Henry Glynn, an ecologist with the National Trust for Jersey, told the BBC they have become part of the island's woods and that visitors from the UK often say a red squirrel is one of the things they hope to see. The Trust called Jersey an important refuge and said the squirrels are fairly widespread, especially in inland valleys and woodland. Harming one is a criminal offence.
Nina Powell, a senior animal carer at the JSPCA, said people look out for them: feeders in gardens, nature reserves, rope bridges over roads, and low speed limits. The JSPCA has handled 50 red squirrels so far in 2026, including eight kits it hand-raised, and tries to stay hands-off so the animals remain wild. Glynn said islanders send in sightings because they are glad to have the squirrels around. The article does not publish a census of Jersey's population.
For the classroom
Red squirrels are scarce in much of Britain, and Jersey is a place where they are still easy to see. BBC News reported on October 20, 2026, that the island has no grey squirrels, which can carry a virus deadly to reds. Jersey's reds were brought there in 1885 and now live in the woods and valleys. It is against the law to harm them. People put out feeders, and rope bridges help squirrels cross some roads. The JSPCA has cared for 50 red squirrels this year, including eight babies, and tries to handle them as little as possible. The BBC story does not count every squirrel on the island.
- Why are red squirrels safer on Jersey than in many places in England?
- How are neighbors helping without turning the squirrels into pets?
- What animal near you depends on people leaving it wild?
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