King Charles III visited a wildlife conservation project in Yorkshire on May 26, 2026, to support efforts protecting the dwindling red squirrel population.
The initiative uses contraceptives to control grey squirrel numbers, which have outcompeted and transmitted fatal diseases to native reds.
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According to the Red Squirrel Survival Trust (RSST) and the UK Squirrel Accord (UKSA), the British red squirrel population has dropped below 300,000 since North American grey squirrels were introduced in 1876.
Grey squirrels now number between 2.5 million and 2.7 million in the UK, outcompeting red squirrels for food and territory while spreading squirrel pox.
Contraceptive Research and Local Efforts
The Animal & Plant Health Agency (APHA) is conducting research funded by the RSST and UKSA to develop a targeted contraceptive delivery system accessible only to grey squirrels.
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During his visit, observers noted the monarch's deep commitment to environmental preservation and ecological balance.
The King was praised for his “innate understanding that we need to be in harmony with nature,” as he visited the project aimed at promoting red squirrels by limiting grey cousins’ numbers.
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Local volunteers and conservation groups manage grey squirrel numbers and monitor red squirrel health to prevent the spread of squirrel pox, which experts say avoids an immediate risk of extinction.
