King Charles Visits Research Project to Save the Red Squirrel
Photo: The Royal Household
King Charles visited the Animal and Plant Health Agency in Yorkshire, where researchers are working on a new programme to support the population of Britain's only native squirrel species, the red squirrel.
The red squirrel is an endangered species in Britain, even though it is the country's only native squirrel. King Charles, patron of The Red Squirrel Survival Trust, has long supported efforts to restore the red squirrel population.
The King has long supported the conservation work for the red squirrel. Archive image from an earlier occasion. Photo: The British Royal Family
In connection with this, the King visited a conservation project developed by the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA). The initiative aims to humanely control the number of grey squirrels and thereby help the red squirrel population recover.
King Charles greets staff at the APHA site in Yorkshire. Photo: The British Royal Family
At the APHA site in Yorkshire, the King met scientists and researchers working on a new oral contraceptive project designed to slow the growth of the grey squirrel population. Grey squirrels pose a threat both to red squirrels and to Britain's native broadleaf woodlands.
The King in conversation with scientists working on the squirrel project. Photo: The British Royal Family
The King studies photographs of red squirrels during the presentation. Photo: The British Royal Family
The King is shown a framed photograph of a red squirrel during the visit. Photo: The British Royal Family