Suffolk Owl Sanctuary hope to reintroduce red squirrels

The Suffolk Owl Sanctuary at Stonham Barns, in Stonham Aspal, is building new enclosures for the three red squirrels they welcomed earlier this year. 

It forms part of their initiative to conserve the species' presence in the wild. 

The sanctuary has three red squirrels currently (Image: Lucy Taylor) Deputy manager Emily Quantrill said: "We have got three lovely, big enclosures for our red squirrels.

"We have currently got three females in one exhibit, and they are here as ambassadors for the public to teach the public about red squirrels and raise awareness for them."

The two other pens for the squirrels will help towards the breed and release project which the sanctuary hopes to take part in. 

Three enclosures are being built for the squirrels (Image: Lucy Taylor) Ms Quantrill said it is hoped they will soon get a breeding pair, who will live in the second pen.

If successful, their offspring will live in the third pen and be part of the breed and release project.

Ms Quantrill added: "The reason we are raising awareness for them is they're actually quite threatened.

Deputy manager Emily Quantrill (Image: Lucy Taylor)

"They're threatened mainly due to the grey squirrel. They're also under threat due to deforestation, due to humans cutting down their habitats. Also, years and years ago they used to be killed for their fur and their fur skins." 

The sanctuary is continuing to raise awareness of the red squirrel, a species native to the UK.

They took part in red squirrel awareness week, which ran between Monday, September 30 and Sunday, October 6, holding talks for visitors.