Decision taken after public consultation

Red squirrels will not be introduced to the Manx countryside in the near future.

The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture went out to public consultation on the matter earlier this year and received more than 100 submissions, many favouring the idea.

However, experts in the UK and wildlife groups in the Island argued that the red squirrel isn’t in danger of extinction in the UK and could see no scientific basis for creating a refuge for it on the Island.

DEFA Minister Richard Ronan says whilst the introduction of red squirrels was popular with many including himself, many pitfalls were pointed out and its introduction would not currently be supported: