Spring has sprung at Kelling Heath Holiday Park with the arrival of two russet-red squirrel kittens. Thought to be born about six weeks ago, the pair are the 39th and 40th red squirrels to have been successfully bred at the North Norfolk holiday park and are a welcome addition to its conservation work.
Kelling Heath Holiday Park has been part of a controlled Red Squirrel Breeding Programme since 1999 with the aim to protect the endangered native species.
Red squirrels have been in decline since the introduction of the invasive non-native grey squirrel. Kelling Heath Holiday Park is passionate about educating its Guests about the plight of the red squirrel and providing an opportunity to support the growth of the red squirrel population, which, with an estimated population of just 140,000, compared to 2.5 million grey squirrels, is classified as an endangered species. The Park was one of the last places where a wild population of red squirrels once lived in Norfolk.
David Martin, Countryside Manager at Kelling Heath, said: “Everyone at Kelling Heath has been delighted with the arrival of our two new kittens. Born about six weeks ago, these are our 39th and 40th kittens to be born on Park as part of our controlled Red Squirrel Breeding Programme running since 1999. The aim of the scheme is to set up a reserve of Red Squirrels that can assist growing the population of this endangered species, supported by the controlled and closely monitored other release projects. Our breeding pair are both captive bred squirrels, and any kittens they produced have been able to be part of managed release programme, working with other specialist sites around the country to hopefully readdress the population in the wild across the UK one day. Our guests are enjoying trying to catch a glimpse of them in their enclosure as we are the only place in Norfolk to now have them. We haven’t named them yet and would love to hear some suggestions – look out for our post on our social media channels!”
Red squirrels now only exist in larger numbers in Scotland, Ireland and on the Isle of Wight, as well as Brownsea Island, Northumberland and the Lake District in England. There have been successful red squirrel re-introduction studies carried out in places that are isolated from grey squirrels, or where the population of grey squirrels is heavily controlled and suitable habitat still exists. Red squirrels are associated with large areas of Scots Pine woodland like the one found across Kelling Heath Holiday Park. The pines would be used as a primary food source, as cover for nest sites and as aerial routeways up in the canopy to shelter from predators.
Nestled close to the North Norfolk coastline at Weybourne, Kelling Heath is renowned for its expansive, scenic surroundings. Set within a stunning 300-acre woodland and rare heathland environment, the holiday park provides Guests with an immersive escape into nature alongside an array of amenities on their doorstep. Next time you visit the Park, be sure to look in the red squirrel enclosure – you may see a little kitten!
More information about Kelling Heath Holiday Park can be found at www.kellingheath.co.uk
