A CUMBRIAN zoo is to open a new enclosure with the aim of boosting red squirrel conservation efforts.

With its fluffy chestnut tail and tufted ears, it’s one of our most iconic native mammals, and Cumbria is one of the rare places in the UK you might still catch a glimpse of one. However, the red squirrel is still one of our most threatened species.

That’s why Milnthorpe’s Lakeland Wildlife Oasis has climbed to the top of the tree in the campaign to conserve them.

Built to mimic local woodland, a new open-topped enclosure will allow the squirrels to roam free in a small patch of trees.

Opening at Easter, the ‘squirrel playground’ will give the squirrels much greater freedom, and closer encounters for the public too.

Zak Showell, centre manager for Lakeland Wildlife Oasis, said: "This fantastic addition to the zoo will enable visitors to see one of the UK’s most beautiful species given freedom to follow their natural behaviours in a native, tree-filled habitat."

The zoo has always prided itself on its message of education and conservation. With protected red squirrels onsite for over 20 years, they have long been supporters of Westmorland Red Squirrels, a local charity working to secure the future of red squirrels in this area.

Threats to red squirrels include continued loss of native woodland and the dominance of the larger grey squirrel, whose numbers have swelled to 2.5 million since their introduction in the 1870s. Grey squirrels carry squirrel pox which is deadly to the indigenous reds, meaning red squirrel numbers are down from a high of 3.5 million to an estimated 140,000 in reducing pockets nationwide.

Mr Showell added: “Our playful red squirrels are always popular, but that’s only half the story – this new habitat will enable us to continue our conservation strategy and promote the great work UK charities including the Westmorland Red Squirrel group are doing to protect this important species."

Lakeland Wildlife Oasis is open 7 days a week, 10 till dusk. For more information, go to www.wildlifeoasis.co.uk, and check out ‘Lakeland Wildlife Oasis’ on Facebook for daily updates and pictures.