Since the very beginning of King Charles III’s reign, the King has shown a profound respect and concern for the national wildlife. That’s why the King met the conservationist to reduce an ongoing situation with the non-native grey squirrels in Britain.
Grey squirrels, introduced from the United States in the 19th century, are considered an invasive species. Although they are more common than native red squirrels, there exists an alarming fact explaining that larger grey animals carry a virus to which they are immune, but that is deadly to reds.
The red squirrel is an endangered species in Britain, despite being the country’s only native squirrel breed.
🐿️ The King, Patron of The Red Squirrel Survival Trust, has long supported efforts to restore the red squirrel population.
His Majesty visited a conservation initiative… pic.twitter.com/A6GhdZ9j4x
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) May 26, 2026
On May 26, the Monarch of the United Kingdom met scientists and researchers from The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) in Yorkshire in northern England, who are working on a new oral contraceptive project aimed at slowing grey squirrels’ population growth.
The King, who also serves as patron of the Red Squirrel Survival Trust, wants to support the conservation of the national wildlife through this contraception project, which surely will help to maintain the balance in the populations of squirrels in Britain.
