- Turns out Prince Charles is a big fan of squirrels.
- The heir apparent marked Red Squirrel Appreciation Day this week with a letter acknowledging the efforts of those fighting for the animal's survival.
- "These charming and intelligent creatures never fail to delight," he said in his letter. "I take enormous pleasure in having them around – and in! – the house when I am at home in Scotland."
We all know Prince Charles has dedicated much of his efforts to conservation and his love for the environment. What we didn't know is just how passionate he is about protecting one animal in particular: the red squirrel.
According to People, red squirrels are categorised as an endangered species, with less than 140 000 across the UK. On Thursday, to mark Red Squirrel Appreciation Day, the heir apparent sent a poignant letter to the Red Squirrel Survival Trust, of which he is patron, to acknowledge the efforts of those fighting for the animal's survival.
"As you will all know so well, these charming and intelligent creatures never fail to delight," Charles wrote, before revealing: "I take enormous pleasure in having them around – and in! – the house when I am at home in Scotland.
"They are such inquisitive and delightful characters," he said, "they have even been known to hunt down a few of their favourite nuts left out in an unguarded jacket pocket."
Red squirrels are officially categorised as an endangered species with less than 140,000 across the UK. ???@rsquirrelstrust and @SquirrelAccord work to ensure the long-term future of red squirrels to protect their presence in our environment for generations to come. pic.twitter.com/0vEHO3vwGm
— The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall (@ClarenceHouse) January 21, 2021
This isn't the first time the prince's love for the animal has been exposed. In an interview with Country Life, Prince William once shared that his dad is completely "infatuated" with the animal – "To the extent that he's given them names and is allowing them into the house!"
