Prince George will be able to enjoy a new cuddly companion – as his grandfather the Duke of Rothesay was presented with a handmade red squirrel yesterday.
The birthday present was given to Prince Charles as he visited a Perthshire estate to learn more about red squirrel conservation work.
The Duke is patron of the Scottish Wildlife Trust, responsible for the Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels Project.
It aims to safeguard the region’s red squirrel population by targeting grey squirrels in core areas in the Highlands, Argyll, north east Scotland and northern Tayside and Stirling, as well as in parts of south Scotland.
Prince Charles was interested to learn about the experience of Glendelvine Estate, where concerted grey squirrel control has brought the charismatic red squirrel back from the brink.
The creature was on the verge of vanishing from the area altogether four years ago – but is now locally abundant.
Chairman of the Scottish Wildlife Trust, Allan Bantick, said: “The Scottish Wildlife Trust is extremely grateful to His Royal Highness for making time to see an example of the Trust’s successful red squirrel conservation work.
“This project is vital to ensuring red squirrels are still visible in the landscape in 50 years’ time and can be enjoyed by future generations, including the young Prince George.”
Prince Charles met the estate owner, Abram Lyle, and the project manager of Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels, Mel Tonkin, as he walked around Glendelvine Estate.
After seeing a grey squirrel trap demonstration, he was presented with a squirrel toy as a gift for Prince George, who celebrated his first birthday yesterday.
It was crafted by a member of the Scottish Wildlife Trust’s staff, Corinne Thompson.
Grey squirrels threaten the existence of the native reds because they compete for food and habitat, and transmit the deadly squirrelpox virus.
Since 1952, an estimated 95% of red squirrels in England and Wales have been wiped out and today 75% of the UK’s remaining population is found in Scotland.