BATTLING back: Conservation groups throughout the county have been given funds to help save the red squirrel Picture: Lake District Foundation
A CAMPAIGN to help save Cumbria's red squirrels has hit a fundraising target despite Covid-19.
The Lake District Foundation has raised more than £14,000 following the launch of its drive in September 2019.
The county is one of the best places in the UK to see red squirrels but they are under threat from the larger non-native grey squirrel, which out competes the reds for food and carries squirrel pox, a disease which is deadly to the reds.
Heinz Traut, project manager at Red Squirrels Northern England, said: “A recent study found that red squirrels were present in 64 per cent of surveys within Cumbria, proving once again that the county is one of the best places to see this delightful species.