The native species faces ongoing threats from habitat loss.
A pair of tiny red squirrel kits, who were rescued from a ditch near Oban, have found solace in the care of the Scottish SPCA.
The month-old duo, affectionately named Fanta and Tango, were discovered by a member of the public at the base of a tree on 1 April. Soaking wet and with no adult in sight, the kits were quickly retrieved by a Scottish SPCA Animal Rescue Officer.
Upon assessment, one of the kits had a suspected leg injury, potentially from falling out of its nest. The pair were transferred to the charity’s National Wildlife Rescue Centre in Fishcross, where they were treated with a course of antibiotics.
Now under the care of the charity’s Small Mammals team, Fanta and Tango are continuing their recovery in a large outdoor enclosure. They have also been microchipped, so the team can continue to monitor their welfare when they are eventually released back into the wild.
Scotland is home to 80 per cent of the UK’s remaining red squirrel population, and the Scottish SPCA has been actively campaigning for the native species and its vanishing habitat.
Molly Martin, from the Scottish Wildlife Trust’s Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels project, highlighted the urgency of the situation:
“Red squirrels are a much-loved species here in Scotland. With their russet fur and tufted ears, they’re a real joy to spot when you’re out and about in our woodlands, and even in urban parks and gardens in some parts of the country.
“We’re lucky to have around 80 per cent of the UK’s red squirrels here, but we are at risk of losing this iconic Scottish wildlife. Red squirrels are under threat of being replaced by invasive non-native grey squirrels, which outcompete them for food and habitat, and can carry the deadly squirrelpox virus.
“Red squirrels are also affected by habitat loss and fragmentation, as well as climate change and road collisions”.
Image (C) Scottish SPCA.
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