Red Squirrel kits

The first Red Squirrel kits to be born at Longleat for over three years have been captured on camera playing among the trees in their habitat.

The month-old pair were born to first-time parents Pinecone and Rory just after Easter weighing around 10grams each.

Red Squirrels are native to the UK, but their numbers have been declining over the past few decades.

The as yet unnamed kits live in the drey – the name of a squirrel nest – and will be fully weaned at just 10 weeks old.

The last kits born at Longleat became part of the UK-wide breeding programme which aims to help the population of the species and reintroduce them to their native landscapes.