Squirrel gives birth to 45th kitten at Pensthorpe reserve

The Pensthorpe Conservation Trust has proudly announced one of its resident red squirrels has this year given birth to her 45th kitten, one of the reserve’s biggest success stories.

The ‘supermum’ squirrel, affectionately named tortoiseshell, and her partner form one of two active breeding pairs at Pensthorpe. Tortoiseshell, together with her partner Tweedledum, are looked after at the East Anglian Red Squirrel Group, of which the Pensthorpe Conservation Trust is a member.

Since 2008, the pair have produced 45 kittens - seven of which in 2012 alone - and have proved to be one of the reserve’s most significant red squirrel pairings.

Chrissie Kelley, head of species management for the trust and secretary for the East Anglian Red Squirrel Group, commented: “We’re so proud of Tortoiseshell, she really is ‘supermum’ of the red squirrel world and gives us tremendous hope for the future of the species.
 
“Red squirrels only survive in a handful of locations in the UK, which is why we’re so fortunate to have successful breeding pairs here at Pensthorpe.

"Tortoiseshell has advanced the work of the Red Squirrel Group dramatically. Going forward, our aim is to build upon her fantastic track-record and highlight this enigmatic species by capturing the imagination of our visitors and educating them on their plight.”
 
The East Anglian Red Squirrel Group aims to inform people about the threat to red squirrels and save this species from extinction.