Report from George Markie.
Squirrel Is Doing All White
Gordon goes nuts for albino that defied odds
By Amy Devine in the Daily Record 16 th January 2004
AN ALBINO squirrel has beaten the laws of nature twice to make it to
adulthood.
Only one in 100,000 of the rodents are born white. Most are too
obvious a target for predators such as owls and so they never reach
maturity.
But this squirrel has had a helping hand from humans after being
spotted by a worker at an engineering firm in Livingston, West Lothian.
Gordon Cameron captured pictures of the animal on video camera and has
been feeding it.
Gordon, 41, said: ''I first spotted it about a month ago and it stuck
out like a sore thumb.
''Grey squirrels are pretty common around the area but I was stunned
when I spotted a pure white one. It was a beautiful sight.''
The dad of two stepped in to save the albino because other squirrels
were bullying it.
He added: ''Things are a bit harder for it in the wild so I put out a
peanut holder when it's about.
''Everyone at work has been desperate to get a look at the squirrel
even delivery men who visit the company.''
Albinotic animals are born without pigmentation in their hair, skin
and eyes Stuart Brooks, of the Scottish Wildlife Trust, said the
''very rare'' squirrel was lucky to have a human's help.
He added: ''Albinism can be a huge disadvantage.
''It is common for the albino to be singled out by its peers and by
predators.
''It's very uncommon for these animals to make it to adulthood.
''But often their lack of camouflage works in their favour because it
attracts humans who look after them.''
© Daily Record, 16 th January 2004
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