King Charles travels to Yorkshire to learn about innovative conservation plan for Britain's red squirrels

King Charles travelled to Yorkshire on Tuesday in his capacity as Patron of the Red Squirrel Survival Trust, meeting scientists and researchers working on an innovative conservation scheme designed to protect Britain's native red squirrel population.

During a visit to an Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) facility, the King was introduced to the team behind a pioneering approach to managing grey squirrel numbers through the use of oral contraceptives — a method intended to slow population growth in a humane and targeted manner.

A royal patron with a long-standing commitment

A statement issued by the Royal Family set out the significance of the visit, noting that "scientists and researchers working on a new oral contraceptive project designed to slow the growth of grey squirrel populations, which threaten both red squirrels and Britain's native broadleaf woodlands" had been introduced to the King.

The statement further highlighted that "the red squirrel is an endangered species in Britain, despite being the country's only native squirrel breed," and confirmed that "The King, Patron of The Red Squirrel Survival Trust, has long supported efforts to restore the red squirrel population."

A humane solution to a growing threat

The Royal Family's statement added that "His Majesty visited a conservation initiative developed by the Animal and Plant Health Agency, which aims to humanely control grey squirrel numbers and support the recovery of the UK's red squirrel population."

Grey squirrels, which are not native to Britain, have long posed a serious ecological threat — competing directly with red squirrels for food and habitat whilst also carrying the squirrelpox virus, which is lethal to red squirrels but does not affect grey squirrels.

The oral contraceptive project represents a significant step forward in conservation efforts to address this imbalance without resorting to culling.