Red Squirrel Project Features on Countryfile

A red squirrel research project led by Dr Louise de Raad featured in the April 2nd episode of Countryfile.

The study aims to investigate how red squirrels respond to habitat fragmentation and habitat loss caused by forest operations and will look at the potential of using nest boxes as a possible mitigation measure to be used during the breeding season. Squirrels will be trapped, tagged and radio-tracked for a 6-month period during which forest operations will take place. The study should lead to a better understanding of the relationship between forest practices and red squirrel ecology, and allow timer production to be effectively integrated with red squirrel conservation.

The project is a joint research project between Inverness College UHI, Forest Enterprise Scotland (FES), Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA) and Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH).