Red squirrels are getting a lift back to their old stomping grounds in the west, which they can't make under their own steam because of the absence of trees in the countryside in between.

Around 70 will be given assisted passage to their new woodland homes.

The red squirrel is the UK's only native squirrel and numbers have declined rapidly following the introduction of grey squirrels from North America in the 19th century.

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Since 1952, 95 per cent of red squirrels in England and Wales have been largely wiped out, and of the UK's 138,000 remaining population over 120,000 are thought to be in Scotland. However, greys still threaten the existence of the native reds because they compete for food and habitat, and transmit the deadly squirrelpox virus.

Conservation experts at the charity Trees for Life will shortly relocate red squirrels from the east of Inverness-shire and Moray to forests near Kinlochewe and at Plockton in Ross-shire, where the species is currently absent despite there being suitable habitat for squirrels.

The Red Squirrel Reintroduction Project aims to establish 10 new populations in the northwest Highlands, significantly increasing both the numbers and range of the red squirrel in the UK.

The squirrels are transported in special nest boxes, lined with hay for comfort, and provisioned with food and water. Only small numbers are removed from any site, so that donor populations are unaffected. Health checks ensure that diseased animals are not introduced to new populations.

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At the reintroduction sites, the boxes are fixed to trees, with exit holes lightly filled with grass – allowing the squirrels to find their way out. Food is provided for several months while the squirrels become accustomed to their new habitat.

Becky Priestley, Trees for Life’s Wildlife Officer: “We are giving red squirrels a helping hand to return to some of their long-lost forest homes. Many Highland woodlands offer the species excellent habitat far from disease-carrying grey squirrels – but because reds travel between trees and avoid crossing large areas of open ground, they can’t return to isolated woodlands without our help.”

The next two releases follow a successful first reintroduction in March this year, when the charity relocated 33 red squirrels from Forres and Strathspey to native woods at Shieldaig in Wester Ross.

The charity said this new population bred during the summer, with several young squirrels observed – confirming that the area is excellent habitat with a good natural food supply.

There have also been regular sightings reported by local people, with the squirrels ranging widely as they explore nearby habitat. Trees for Life is continuing to monitor the population, with surveys planned for later this year.

The charity sees the high levels of community involvement as a success for the project Residents near the relocation sites have been monitoring the squirrels and carrying out supplementary feeding, while people from whose gardens the squirrels were removed have visited Shieldaig to see the expanding new population.

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“Involving local communities is a big part of this exciting rewilding project. People love helping red squirrels and having them move into their local area,” Ms Priestley said.

In this next phase, 70 will be relocated in the coming weeks. They will be going to the privately-owned Coulin Estate next to Beinn Eighe National Nature Reserve near Kinlochewe, and woodland around Plockton, which is owned by different landowners including conservation charity The National Trust for Scotland.