A new rare visitor has arrived to a popular North Yorkshire attraction.
A young red squirrel has arrived at the Castle Howard Arboretum.
The two-year-old male is settling into his new home in the Arboretum’s on-site red squirrel enclosure.
His arrival marks the next phase of one of the UK’s most successful red squirrel breeding programmes.
Since the programme started in 2023, 15 baby squirrels, known as kits, have been born and have gone on to partner breeding programmes, and into the wild at suitable locations in Wales.
The male, who has spent the first two years of his life at Peak Wildlife Park in Derbyshire, will gradually be introduced to females with the hope to see more kits born in Yorkshire in the coming years.
Visitors can see the new male from Monday 25 May inside the red squirrel enclosure. It was designed and built by arboretum staff and volunteers.
Covering 2,500 square metres of ground, it includes a grove of oaks and other trees, in which the squirrels live natural lives.
Ben Paterson, arborist and red squirrel officer at the Castle Howard Arboretum Trust, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to welcome our new arrival, as we know how much joy he will bring to our staff, volunteers and visitors.
“He is also an essential next step in continuing our great work in protecting this beautiful native animal.
“The young male is spending some time in private, acclimatising in his new home, but should be more active and viewable to visitors from Monday 25 May, the first day of May half term.
“Visitors are also invited to help us give him a name, by taking part in our competition on the Castle Howard and Arboretum social media accounts.“
Access to the red squirrel enclosure is included in arboretum admission tickets. Although red squirrels may be seen throughout the day, they tend to be most active in the morning and later afternoon.
There’s full booking information here.
