Last week saw ‘Red Squirrel Week’ and Longleat Safari Park in Wiltshire showed their support for the native squirrel highlighting the need to help conserve red squirrels.
Animal Adventure keeper, Chris Burr, said “Red Squirrels are an important species as there aren’t many left in England.
“They once lived across the UK, but their population is now limited to remote areas of North Wales, Scotland, pockets of Northern England and small islands off the southern coast. The species has undergone the most dramatic decline of all UK mammals, with only an estimated 280,000 left in the country.”
Longleat is home to a breeding pair of squirrels, who have previously raised a litter of kits in 2021. The kits then went on to be part of the vital UK-wide breeding programme which aims to help the population of the species and reintroduce them to their native landscapes.
Says Chris: “One of our previous babies, Little Red, has gone on to father three litters of his own already, which is really exciting for the programme. It’s a little late in the season for any kits this year, however we are hopeful we may see a litter next year.”
“Our squirrels can be very elusive, but make sure you visit them next time you’re at the park. Look out for their little heads poking of their nesting boxes or dreys.”
Red Squirrel Factfile:
Red Squirrel – Sciurus Vulgaris
Conservation status – Least concern, declining
Their diet consists of nuts, seeds, tree shoots and other plants.
Squirrels make dreys, which are their nests in the trees made of twigs, moss and other natural materials.
Red squirrels are native to the UK.
Entertainment Swindon 
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