England's red squirrels are 'close to extinction'

England's red squirrels are 'close to extinction' according to an animal welfare group.

The group Save Our Reds looked at data from a number of wildlife organisations and said that although the endangered species 'clings on', it could disappear from English woodlands in the next 25 years.

There are around 120,000 to 160,000 red squirrels left in the UK, with as few as 15,000 left in England.

Save Our Reds say the government needs to do more to protect the animals and has set up a petition that has been signed by more than 75,000 people.

According to Natural England - the government's adviser for the natural environment - one of the reasons for a decline in red squirrel numbers is the introduction of grey squirrels from the USA and Canada from 1876.

Grey squirrels can spread the squirrelpox virus, which is deadly to red squirrels only.

Loss of habitat and not enforcing protections strongly enough are also key factors.

Marie Carter-Robb from Save Our Reds said: "This is not theoretical, without action we will lose our red squirrels."

"We need government, conservation bodies, landowners, scientists and campaigners around the same table. The tools exist or are being developed.

"What is missing is coordination, funding and urgency," she added.

A spokesperson for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), said the government was protecting endangered red squirrels by tackling the threat of non-native grey squirrels.

They said they were "Working alongside landowners and conservation partners" on research projects to help manage grey squirrel populations in the wild to "help our iconic red squirrels and native wildlife flourish."