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A R A R E P A T I E N T


The elusive squirrel - a native British species which is only seen in certain parts of the UK - was admitted to the hospital in August, after being found orphaned in Liverpool. It was only the tenth red squirrel taken in by the centre since 2012. The number of red squirrels we get at Stapeley Grange is


so remarkably small so when one arrives it is exciting for the team to see such an iconic yet little-seen animal. The squirrel was hand-fed initially four times a day but is doing much better now, feeding itself and should hopefully be able to go back to the wild very soon, via a soft release programme. These protected mammals have declined quite markedly


in Britain over a number of decades and in England and Wales, they are now only found in a few areas. They are listed as a priority species for conservation in the UK biodiversity action plan. As well as loss of habitat which impacts on all wild animals, competition with grey squirrels and the spread of diseases such as squirrel pox have contributed to their decline.


STAPELEY NEWS 11 FACT BOX


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