Randy 'Radish' retires

Sex-loving squirrel takes it easy

An East Devon squirrel who's spent three years having sex in the interests of conservation is putting his paws up and calling it a day.

'Radish', a red squirrel until now resident at Wildwood Escot near Ottery St Mary, has led a brave fight against an ongoing decline in his species in the UK by helping his lady friends reproduce.

Having sired only 12 offspring, the randy rodent arguably could have done a bit better in his three years' service here. But with January coming up, the start of the red squirrel mating season, his protectors at Escot have decided his work is done.

Senior keeper Ben Gregory said: “Radish is a real star. He has played a crucial role in our breeding efforts producing a total of twelve kits for release projects. We’re all sorry to see him go, but he’s certainly earned his retirement.” He's moving to Kent to join a group of blokey male squirrels in a walk-through woodland enclosure at the charity’s site there. 

Mr Gregory continues; “We also have an open woodland habitat here in Devon. But in order to have proper control over breeding, ours is an all-female facility whilst the enclosure at our sister park in Kent is all-male. In addition to providing an excellent opportunity for visitors to see this iconic species in their natural habitat, these amazing woodland habitats enable us to provide a fitting retirement for both our male and female squirrels once they’ve left the programme.”

Red squirrels were once a common sight in the British landscape but the population has been in steep decline since the introduction of the grey squirrel from America in the 1800s.  In addition to being larger and more aggressive, the grey squirrel carries a virus, which is harmless to the grey, but deadly to the reds. 

Wildwood Escot general manager George Hyde said: “Radish has played a vital role in the long, ongoing battle against the grey invasion, but his contribution would be impossible without the generosity of our supporters. At this time of year we see a spike of interest in our red squirrel adoptions and hand-feeding experiences which, in addition to funding our breeding and release programme, make ideal Christmas gifts.”

Wildwood Escot think Radish’s legacy will continue with his grandchildren following their aunts and uncles as they are released into the countryside next year.