Named Percy, the young red squirrel was raised by Connor Brown, a Center Parcs ranger who took him in as a vulnerable kit and cared for him at his family home in Cockermouth.
Percy has now been released into Whinfell Forest, one of the UK’s few remaining red squirrel refuges and home to the Center Parcs Whinfell Forest village.
Percy was taken in as a vulnerable kit (Image: Center Parcs) Mr Brown said: “It’s been a rewarding challenge for my family and me to look after Percy and watch him grow from a kit into a capable, confident young squirrel that is ready for the wild.
“Red squirrels are a vital part of our natural heritage.
“By protecting and nurturing them we help maintain the ecological balance and health of the forest, whilst ensuring future generations can enjoy their presence.
“We’ll miss having Percy at home, and finding nuts in random places, but it’s great to see him ready to return to his natural home in Whinfell Forest.”
Percy joins another red squirrel named Nibbles, who was also cared for by the Brown family before being released at Whinfell.
According to the Woodland Trust, whilst red squirrels are native to the UK, they are now endangered, with populations having dropped from around 3.5 million to between 120,000 and 160,000.
It is estimated that only around 15,000 remain in England.
Center Parcs’ forest management plans include habitat statements, conservation targets, and ongoing monitoring.
Teams manage each village’s habitats, working under the guidance of senior conservation rangers.
Whinfell Forest is one of only 16 designated red squirrel refuges in the UK.
For more information about Center Parcs’ conservation work, visit the Center Parcs website at corporate.centerparcs.co.uk.