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Wildlife
- Close
- - We protect wildlife in Britain and around the world by bringing our most threatened species back from the brink of extinction. We do this through ground-breaking research, practical conservation and education, all with the help of our supporters.
Wild places
- Close
- - Some habitats contain such a richness of life that we need to protect them at all odds. We are working to preserve ancient woodlands, orchards and wood pastures and parklands, as well as the countless species they support.
What we do
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- - Everything we do is based on scientific evidence. We gather this through surveys, which you can take part in, and by awarding research grants to the most inspiring scientists worldwide. This evidence guides our conservation efforts and is shared through our events and publications.
Who we are
- Close
- - People’s Trust for Endangered Species was set up in 1977 to save our wildlife. We are governed by a board of volunteer trustees and our team of staff are passionate about protecting endangered species and places.
Success stories
- Close
- - We strive to bring our most threatened species in the UK and around the world back from the brink of extinction. Our successes come from ground-breaking research, practical conservation and education, all with the help of our supporters.
Get involved
- Close
- - There are so many ways you can help save endangered species. Fancy taking part in a survey, joining us on a wildlife event or becoming a regular supporter?
Shop
- Close
- - Support our work in our shop with a range of charity gifts, home-ware, cards and more. 100% of the profits go directly to help wildlife both in the UK an overseas.
Donate
- Close
- - There is nothing natural about the alarming rate at which we are losing animals and their homes. It is absolutely avoidable. We can stop the loss of our wildlife – but we need your support. You can act now by choosing to give to our cause. Thank you.

Home // Research grants // Our internship projects // Using radio tracking and camera traps to help red squirrels in Wales

Using radio tracking and camera traps to help red squirrels in Wales

Collared-red-squirrel-Jonathan-Young-Internship-Project-PTES.jpg

Grey squirrels transmit the squirrel poxvirus which has decimated red squirrel numbers in many areas

The problem

Britain’s red squirrels have been in trouble for a long time, and there are now just 140,000 remaining in the wild. Grey squirrels are the problem. Introduced to Britain early last century, they have thrived in our countryside and cities. They outcompete red squirrels and increase their stress levels which then negatively impacts the growth and reproductive rates. Grey squirrels also transmit the deadly squirrel poxvirus to our native reds, which has decimated their numbers in many areas.

The solution

Collared-red-squirrel-2-Jonathan-Young-Internship-Project-PTES-insert PTES is supporting intern Katherine Barth who is hoping to bolster red squirrel numbers and strengthen the gene pool in Clocaenog Forest in North Wales in partnership. Working with Natural Resources Wales, Red Squirrels Trust Wales, Red Squirrels United, and the newly formed Clocaenog Red Squirrel Trust, she is releasing wild and captive-bred red squirrels in order to strengthen the remaining small, wild population of red squirrels known to persist in Clocaenog Forest.

The project is largely run by dedicated volunteers. Radio-collars are fitted to the animals which monitor the squirrels’ health and can opportunistically collect data on their ranging patterns and habitat usage within the forest. Additionally, camera traps and feeder boxes are used. They can record which collared and wild squirrel are visiting and feeding in an area.

12 squirrels have been released into the forest already. At least two released females have also given birth. We hope Katherine’s work will ensure Clocaenog’s red squirrel population flourishes in the years ahead.

This project was possible thanks to our generous donors. Can you help us continue to support projects like this?

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