Bloke dubbed ‘red squirrel whisperer’ admits ‘I love them so much’ as animal under threat

Red squirrels have now been officially classified as endangered across Great Britain, with their numbers plummeting due to competition from invasive grey squirrels

Red squirrels have officially been classified as endangered across Great Britain, particularly in England and Wales. With the introduction of grey squirrels, outcompeting them and carrying the fatal squirrel pox virus, red squirrel sightings have become less and less common.

Fortunately, a man dubbed “the red squirrel whisperer” took it upon himself to preserve the little ginger rodent’s memory. Ian Groves, 58, from Binstead, consequently showed off his incredible pictures of the endangered creatures he adores on the Isle of Wight.

The photographer has become well known for his jaw-dropping images of red squirrels captured mid-leap, clinging to mossy branches or staring straight down the lens.

Taken in woodland close to his home, his new photos reveal a rare, intimate side to one of Britain’s most threatened native mammals. Moreover, the Isle of Wight is one of the last remaining safe havens for red squirrels in England, free from invasive grey squirrels.

Ian said: “I absolutely love them. Every squirrel has its own character and when you spend enough time with them, they seem to accept you.

“Capturing them in flight or pausing for a second is what makes it so special.” Known locally as the red squirrel whisperer, Ian is famed for his patience, often waiting hours for a split-second moment when a squirrel launches itself through the air, paws outstretched like a tiny superhero.

He added: “The jumps they do are unbelievable. When you freeze that moment, it looks like they’re flying.

“If my pictures make people smile and care more about red squirrels, then it’s all worth it.” With red squirrels under severe threat across much of the UK, Ian uses his photography to raise awareness of their plight, hoping his images will help protect the species for future generations.

The red squirrel is officially classed as Near Threatened in England, Wales and Northern Ireland but is locally common in Scotland, the Woodland Trust explains. The main cause behind their decline is the introduction of grey squirrels from America.

Grey squirrels carry a disease, a Parapoxvirus, which does not appear to affect their health but often kills red squirrels, the trust states. Additionally, grey squirrels are more likely to eat green acorns, so will decimate the food source before they ripen and the reds can make use of them.

Furthermore, when red squirrels are put under pressure they will not breed as often. Another huge factor in their decline is the loss of woodland over the last century, but road traffic and predators are all threats too.

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