Since their rapid decline in the 1970s and 80s Red Squirrels have been confined to areas of high conifer density where the Grey Squirrels do not do as well. The great storm of October 1987 destroyed much suitable habitat in East Suffolk and there are now only small numbers left in Thetford Forest and the King's Forest north of Bury St Edmunds. The species is included in the Suffolk Biodiversity Action Plan.