Island goes nuts for new red squirrel sanctuary

About 3,500 red squirrels live on the Isle of Wight

A new sanctuary for red squirrels has been announced following huge fundraising efforts.

The 12-acre plot of woodland near Ryde was bought by the Isle of Wight Red Squirrel Trust.

Native to the UK, the species all but died out on the mainland after grey squirrels were introduced, but continued to live on the island.

In the coming months, the site will be cleared and new trees will be planted to encourage red squirrels to breed in the acreage.

Simon Howes (left) and Helen Butler MBE (right) unveiled the woodland at a ceremony on Monday

The land was named Howes Wood after Simon Howes, who raised about £100,000 for the charity by rowing solo across the Atlantic in 2023.

Helen Butler MBE, chair of the Isle of Wight Red Squirrel Trust, said the money had helped buy the woodland.

"Red squirrels are so important to the islanders - if you've got them in your garden, they're like family," she said.

She added it was important to look after their habitat and ensure the squirrels had space to thrive.

The conservationist set up the charity more than 30 years ago after red squirrel numbers fell following a hurricane that damaged forests on the island.

What are red squirrels?

Red squirrels have lived in the UK for about 10,000 years

Red squirrels were all but wiped out in the UK when grey squirrels were introduced in the 1800s.

The larger, heavier and hungrier grey squirrel will usually win the fight for food.

It also carries the squirrelpox virus, which is fatal to the red species.

However, the population on the Isle of Wight has survived as the Solent water channel acts as barrier, preventing grey squirrels coming into contact with them.

Ms Butler said she was hoping to expand the woodland by another 10 acres in the future

Red squirrels do not live in the woodland currently, as its trees do not have enough food value for them.

Existing trees will soon be replaced with Hazel, Sweet Chestnut, Oak and Wild Cherry - firm favourites among the species, according to the charity.

Ms Butler said she hoped to see signs of red squirrels living there by spring 2025.

"The land is private right now, but once its safe to do so we will be taking people round in small groups," she said.

"Visitors come to the island to tick seeing red squirrels off their bucket list."