Red squirrel
Sciurus vulgaris
Gwiwer coch
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Status:
Very rare now in Snowdonia, possibly extinct. A native species, protected on Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981 but not under European legislation.
Red squirrels are really struggling in the UK in the face of competition from grey squirrels and squirrel pox disease, largely spread by greys. In Wales there are 3 focus areas left, none of which are in Snowdonia. It is possible that there are one or two small pockets of reds left in Aberhirnant forest and Cwm Mynach. Recently there have been a couple of records from Aberhirnant in the form of a body sent for verification and a photograph. Odd sightings are reported from other areas of the Park every now and again but these may well be gingery grey squirrels.