October 22, 2025 • 13 mins
Red Squirrel has lost his acorns. And he’s pointing the claw at Grey Squirrel, his age-old nemesis.
Beaver, Fox, Ranger Rae, Roxy and a mysterious Pine Marten are on the case at Tollymore Forest Park.
But will they be able to restore peace to the woods and the animals who live there?
Watching on Spotify?
If you're watching the video on Spotify, comment when you see Beaver and we'll give you a special Wildlifers 'Awoooo'.
Production
Ranger Rae and the Wildlifers is a podcast from the National Trust, produced by Fun Kids Radio.
Artwork: (c) Becka Moor
Cast:
Ranger Rae: Katy Schutte
Roxy: Leila Hall
Deer / Wildcat: Hannah Platts
Beaver / Bat: Lloydie James Lloyd
Expedition Eddie: Adam Hodgson
Luca: Stephen Lee
All other characters played by members of the ensemble.
Writer: Aidan Fitzmaurice
Sound design: Chris Stevens
Editing: Adam Stoner
Producers: Lloydie James Lloyd & Adam Stoner
Ideas and resources for the grownups
Explore Tollymore Forest Park in Northern Ireland
https://www.ireland.com/en-gb/destinations/regions/tollymore-forest-park/
Find places in Northern Ireland looked after by the National Trust
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/northern-ireland
Visit the National Trust's Kids' Podcast website
nationaltrust.org.uk/kids-podcast
Discover more from Fun Kids Radio
www.funkidslive.com/
Be inspired with '50 things to do before you're 11 and 3/4'
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/50-things
Learn about UK wildlife
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/discover/nature/wildlife
But will they be able to restore peace to the woods and the animals who live there?
Watching on Spotify?
If you're watching the video on Spotify, comment when you see Beaver and we'll give you a special Wildlifers 'Awoooo'.
Production
Ranger Rae and the Wildlifers is a podcast from the National Trust, produced by Fun Kids Radio.
Artwork: (c) Becka Moor
Cast:
Ranger Rae: Katy Schutte
Roxy: Leila Hall
Deer / Wildcat: Hannah Platts
Beaver / Bat: Lloydie James Lloyd
Expedition Eddie: Adam Hodgson
Luca: Stephen Lee
All other characters played by members of the ensemble.
Writer: Aidan Fitzmaurice
Sound design: Chris Stevens
Editing: Adam Stoner
Producers: Lloydie James Lloyd & Adam Stoner
Ideas and resources for the grownups
Explore Tollymore Forest Park in Northern Ireland
https://www.ireland.com/en-gb/destinations/regions/tollymore-forest-park/
Find places in Northern Ireland looked after by the National Trust
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/northern-ireland
Visit the National Trust's Kids' Podcast website
nationaltrust.org.uk/kids-podcast
Discover more from Fun Kids Radio
www.funkidslive.com/
Be inspired with '50 things to do before you're 11 and 3/4'
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/50-things
Learn about UK wildlife
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/discover/nature/wildlife
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
RED SQUIRREL (00:01):
Gotta get those nuts. Gotta get those nuts.
A squirrel's gotta get thosenuts. Especially a Red Squirrel
like me. We need all the nuts wecan get.
Ah! There's a nice acorn.That'll make a fine addition to
my collection.
Now, if only I could rememberwhere I buried my stash.
(00:24):
Oh, great. Here comes GreySquirrel, just what I need.
GREY SQUIRREL (00:28):
All right, Red. Out looking for nuts, are we?
RED SQUIRREL (00:31):
Hi, Grey. I suppose you're gonna claim that
acorn is yours?
GREY SQUIRREL (00:36):
I did see it first, didn't I?
RED SQUIRREL (00:38):
I don't know. Did you?
GREY SQUIRREL (00:40):
Yeah, I reckon I did.
RED SQUIRREL (00:42):
Could you not just find your own nuts for once? You
already stole my whole stash.
GREY SQUIRREL (00:48):
No, I didn't. You just forgot why you stashed your
stash again.
RED SQUIRREL (00:53):
How dare you? We Red squirrels may have a habit
of forgetting where we hidethings, but that's not what
happened this time.
GREY SQUIRREL (01:00):
I bet it is.
RED SQUIRREL (01:01):
No, it isn't.
GREY SQUIRREL (01:03):
All right then, if you can remember where your
stash is, show me.
RANGER RAE (01:08):
I can't, because you'd only steal it if I show
you where it is.
GREY SQUIRREL (01:12):
But you said I already stole it.
RED SQUIRREL (01:14):
Yeah, it's... Leave my nuts alone.
GREY SQUIRREL (01:17):
Enough of this. Just give me that nut and this
will all be over.
RED SQUIRREL (01:21):
It's mine
GREY SQUIRREL (01:22):
We'll see about that Red.
RED SQUIRREL (01:25):
That's it. I'm calling for help.
GREY SQUIRREL (01:28):
Oh yeah? And who you gonna call?
RED SQUIRREL (01:30):
You'll see. Awoooo!
SINGERS (01:34):
Across the many majestic wild spaces of the
United Kingdom, from woods,wetlands, to mountain and heath,
whenever help is needed, oneranger and her animal friends
always answer the call.
It's Ranger Rae and theWildlifers.
RANGER RAE (01:51):
I can talk to animals. It's a ranger's dream.
SINGERS (01:54):
It's Ranger Ray and the Wildlifers.
RANGER RAE (01:58):
Say hello to my animal team.
SINGERS (02:00):
With Deer and Fox and Wildcat, Mole and Dragonfly and
Beaver and Bat.
Sound the alarm and we'll comerunning to you.
DEER (02:10):
With our animal powers, we'll know what to do.
SINGERS (02:14):
It's Ranger Ray and the Wildlifers.
RED SQUIRREL (02:19):
Ranger Ray and the Wildlifers will know what to do.
We'll have to try not to argueuntil they get here, which might
be a while.
GREY SQUIRREL (02:26):
I'm much better at not arguing than you are.
RED SQUIRREL (02:29):
No, you're not. I am the master of not arguing.
RANGER RAE (02:34):
Did someone call for Ranger Rae?
I'm here with Beaver and Fox.
ROXY (02:38):
And Roxy. To save the day.
RANGER RAE (02:41):
So, what's the problem, squirrels?
RED SQUIRREL (02:43):
Grey Squirrel stole my stash of nuts and now
they're trying to steal thisacorn I found too.
GREY SQUIRREL (02:48):
I didn't steal your stash and that's my acorn
because I saw it first.
ROXY (02:53):
Oh, Red squirrels and Grey squirrels really don't get
along, do they, Fox?
FOX (02:58):
Pardon, Roxy. Sorry, I'm a bit distracted. Isn't this place
beautiful?
RANGER RAE (03:04):
It sure is. Tollymore Forest Park is one of
Northern Ireland's biggestparks, and definitely one of its
most beautiful. They say it wasthe inspiration for Narnia.
BEAVER (03:14):
What's Narnia?
ROXY (03:15):
It's a magical land some children found in the back of a
wardrobe.
FOX (03:19):
The back of a wardrobe? That doesn't sound very magical
to me.
BEAVER (03:24):
This forest is nice, but let me tell you all the ways a
Beaver's touch could improvethings. You see, whenever
beavers are reintroduced,ecological improvements follow.
Now, see, I'd fell this treehere, this tree here, oh, and
that one there. That wouldcreate a nice water feature.
RED SQUIRREL (03:41):
Hey, Tollymore Forest Park doesn't need any
improving.
GREY SQUIRREL (03:44):
That's right, it's perfect and beautiful as it
is.
RANGER RAE (03:47):
Sounds to me like you both just agreed on
something. So there's some hopeyet.
RED SQUIRREL (03:52):
You know what, Grey? Maybe she's right.
GREY SQUIRREL (03:54):
No, she isn't.
RED SQUIRREL (03:57):
Alright, fine.
RANGER RAE (03:59):
So what's this about a stash of nuts, Fred?
GREY SQUIRREL (04:02):
Grey Squirrel stole my stash.
I did not.
RED SQUIRREL (04:05):
And now they're trying to steal my acorn.
RANGER RAE (04:07):
Okay, that last one might be true, but I didn't
steal the stash, honest. Howcould I steal it if I don't even
know where it is?
FOX (04:15):
Why don't we just check the stash and see what's there?
RED SQUIRREL (04:19):
Well, I... I guess we could do that. It's just,
well, I sort of, maybe...
GREY SQUIRREL (04:24):
Red's forgotten where they stashed their stash,
as usual.
RED SQUIRREL (04:28):
Red squirrels forgetting where they stashed
stuff is a harmful myth.
GREY SQUIRREL (04:32):
So where is it then?
Well, in this particular case,the harmful myth is true.
Anyway, it's a positive thingthat we forget where we stash
our nuts. It's good for nature,helps spread the seeds around,
which helps forest regeneration.
BEAVER (04:49):
Ranger Rae, I have an idea.
RANGER RAE (04:51):
Let's hear it, Beaver.
BEAVER (04:52):
What these squirrels could really use is a pond. So I
say we gnaw down this tree here,and this one here, creating a
water blockage, or dam, if youwill, which will attract all
sorts of wildlife, like frogsand dragonflies...
FOX (05:06):
Pardon my interruption, but what has this got to do with Red
and Grey squirrels arguing?
BEAVER (05:13):
Oh, right. I forgot what problem we were trying to solve.
FOX (05:16):
What if I used my super Fox tracking skills to find this
stash of nuts? Would that help?
RED SQUIRREL (05:23):
Yes, I suppose it would.
GREY SQUIRREL (05:25):
I'll do anything to clear my name.
RANGER RAE (05:26):
Very good, Fox. Lead the way.
How's the tracking going, Fox?
DEER (05:34):
It's going okay. This way! I think if we just... No, wait!
That way! Ha, yeah, now we'reback on track. I'm sniffing for
Red Squirrel scent, rather thanthe nuts, seeing as we're not
even sure if the nuts are there.This way!
ROXY (05:51):
Ranger Rae, how come Red squirrels and Grey squirrels
don't get along?
GREY SQUIRREL (05:55):
Because Red Squirrels are silly.
RED SQUIRREL (05:57):
We are not silly, you're silly.
GREY SQUIRREL (05:59):
No, I'm not.
RED SQUIRREL (06:00):
Yes, you are. You're the silliest billy in the
whole forest.
GREY SQUIRREL (06:03):
Well, you're the silliest billy in the whole
universe.
RANGER RAE (06:05):
Calm down, everybody. The history of Red
squirrels and Grey squirrels isa long and difficult one. Roxy,
did you bring along your banjo?
ROXY (06:13):
I did.
RANGER RAE (06:14):
How about some storytime music?
ROXY (06:16):
Sure thing.
RANGER RAE (06:18):
Once upon a time, Red squirrels were found all
over the UK.
GREY SQUIRREL (06:23):
We call it the before-time.
RANGER RAE (06:25):
Red squirrels are native to the UK and have been
here for over 10,000 years. Sothey evolved to thrive in the
habitat of the UK's forests.
BEAVER (06:34):
Speaking of thriving, wouldn't this forest look
amazing with a newBeaver-designed waterfall?
ALL (06:39):
Not now, Beaver!
RANGER RAE (06:41):
But in the 19th century, the Grey Squirrel
arrived here from America.
GREY SQUIRREL (06:46):
Yo.
RANGER RAE (06:48):
Grey squirrels are bigger and stronger squirrels,
and they soon dominated thehabitats of the Red squirrels.
RED SQUIRREL (06:53):
Some would call this bullying.
GREY SQUIRREL (06:55):
Nonsense. It's survival of the fittest.
RANGER RAE (06:57):
And so the Red squirrels were pushed out. Their
numbers dwindled, and theyweren't helped by the fact that
the Grey squirrels carried thesquirrelpox virus.
GREY SQUIRREL (07:05):
Oh, not this again. It's just the sniffles.
RED SQUIRREL (07:08):
Not for us, it's not.
RANGER RAE (07:10):
This virus doesn't really affect the Grey Squirrel,
but it can be lethal to the Red.
GREY SQUIRREL (07:15):
It's not like we do it on purpose.
RED SQUIRREL (07:17):
I bet you do.
GREY SQUIRREL (07:19):
Alright, someone better hold me back because I'm
going to let Red have it.
RED + GREY SQUIRREL (07:22):
Come here, you!
PINE MARTEN (07:23):
Oi oi oi oi. What's all this shouting? We'll have no
trouble here.
ROXY (07:31):
Look, look, look! It's a Pine Marten!
FOX (07:33):
Martin who?
BEAVER (07:34):
A pine what?
ROXY (07:36):
This is so exciting. I've never seen one up close before.
PINE MARTEN (07:41):
Well, yes, yes, yes. We Pine Martens are
notoriously difficult to spot.
BEAVER (07:45):
You look like a cross between a squirrel and a weasel.
PINE MARTEN (07:48):
Ah, but we are neither squirrel nor weasel. We
are the mighty Pine Marten, andwe've been native to the UK for
as long as the Red Squirrel.
BEAVER (07:58):
So how come I've never seen you before?
PINE MARTEN (08:00):
Could I have some banjo music, please?
ROXY (08:03):
Sure thing.
PINE MARTEN (08:05):
Once upon a time, thousands of years ago, the Pine
Marten was one of the mostcommon predators in the UK. We
were everywhere, even if peopledidn't spot us all that often.
But then, humans did as humansoften do, and hunted us until
all our number sank so low, webecame but a whisper. Do you
remember the Pine Marten? They'dsay. Whatever happened to them?
FOX (08:28):
I'll have to hold my paws up and admit, we foxes did hunt
our fair share of pine martens.
PINE MARTEN (08:35):
But you were one of our natural predators, just like
we were one of the RedSquirrel's natural predators.
That's nature in action.
GREY SQUIRREL (08:42):
See? Survival of the fittest.
FOX (08:44):
Silence!
I believe we're getting closerto the stash. This way, into the
older part of the forest.
ROXY (08:53):
Is it true there are lots more pine martens about now?
PINE MARTEN (08:57):
Yes, pine martens are making a real comeback. And
that's not all. We've beentasked with ending the rivalry
between Red squirrels and Greysquirrels.
GREY SQUIRREL (09:06):
What rubbish.
BEAVER (09:08):
How are you going to do that? By building a beautiful
water feature in the forest?
PINE MARTEN (09:12):
Of course not. It turns out that our long history
together means the Red squirrelsare quite good at dodging pine
marten attacks, but the Greysquirrels, not so much.
GREY SQUIRREL (09:22):
That's because we never got to practice.
PINE MARTEN (09:25):
Precisely. So when Pine Martens are introduced to a
habitat, Grey squirrels are mucheasier to hunt because they
don't have as much practice athiding from us.
ROXY (09:35):
So if you reintroduce Pine Martens into a forest, it helps
even out the numbers of Greysquirrels?
PINE MARTEN (09:41):
Now you're getting it. But it can't all be left to
the Pine Martins. It takes acombination of efforts, like
monitoring squirrel populations,habitat restoration...
FOX (09:49):
Silence!
The stash should be...
Right here.
RED SQUIRREL (09:55):
Yes.
I do sort of maybe recognisethis place.
GREY SQUIRREL (09:59):
You've no idea have you.
RED SQUIRREL (10:01):
Yes I do! It was right here! Or maybe right over
there.
ROXY (10:08):
Ranger Rae, what was that?
RANGER RAE (10:10):
I'm not sure, Roxy, but I've heard it a few times
now.
FOX (10:16):
I know what it is. We're hearing the Wood Wide Web in
action. Of course, the Wood WideWeb.
ROXY (10:22):
Don't you mean the World Wide Web?
RANGER RAE (10:25):
Nope. It turns out nature beat us to inventing the
internet by about 500 millionyears.
ROXY (10:31):
But how?
FOX (10:32):
Lots of trees and plants in a forest are connected by
underground networks of roots.And fungus.
ROXY (10:39):
So you're saying that all these old trees are connected to
each other?
FOX (10:43):
Yeah, the Wood Wide Web even means trees can send
warning signs to each other ifthey're under attack by insects.
ROXY (10:51):
Are they communicating now?
FOX (10:54):
They're probably putting a warning out because they heard
there's a Beaver in the area.
BEAVER (11:00):
Who, me?
Don't worry trees, I won't begnawing through any of you. This
place looks fine as it is. Nowater features necessary.
RANGER RAE (11:09):
Some of the forests in the UK are so old that trees
have had thousands of years toform these underground
connections. The oldest tree inthe UK is about 3,000 years old.
ROXY (11:20):
3,000?
RANGER RAE (11:21):
Yep, the Fortingale Yew Tree in Scotland.
ROXY (11:24):
Amazing!
GREY SQUIRREL (11:25):
It really puts things into perspective, doesn't
it?
RED SQUIRREL (11:28):
What's that, Grey?
GREY SQUIRREL (11:29):
Oh, you know, all these trees living alongside
each other peacefully forthousands of years. Forging
connections in order to keepeach other safe. You don't see
them fighting over acorns. Itreally makes you think.
RED SQUIRREL (11:42):
I guess it does.
RANGER RAE (11:44):
You know what, Red? You have the acorn.
RED SQUIRREL (11:47):
What? Really?
RANGER RAE (11:49):
Yeah, I can always find another one.
RED SQUIRREL (11:51):
Wow, thanks, Gray. To be honest, I don't think I'm
going to find that stash anyway.I've no idea where I left it.
GREY SQUIRREL (11:59):
I know.
RED SQUIRREL (12:00):
Typical Red Squirrel, eh?
RANGER RAE (12:03):
That's very big of both of you, Red and Grey.
ROXY (12:05):
Yeah, you should be very proud.
GREY SQUIRREL (12:08):
We've done enough arguing, haven't we? Nobody
wants to hear more of that.Anyway, Pine Marten will be here
to keep us in check.
PINE MARTEN (12:15):
Right, I will.
RANGER RAE (12:16):
It sounds like the trees agree too.
FOX (12:18):
So, in the end. I was trying to track something that
wasn't even there. What a wasteof my talents.
BEAVER (12:27):
And I didn't even get to build a water feature.
FOX (12:30):
At least we solved Red and Grey's argument. That's nothing
to be sniffed at.
GREY SQUIRREL (12:35):
Neither was Red's stash.
RANGER RAE (12:39):
Sometimes the best way to learn about these things
is to observe animals in theirnatural habitats.
ROXY (12:47):
Or we could go and help an animal in its natural habitat.
Come on, Wildlifers!
RANGER RAE (12:53):
Everybody ready? Wildlifers, away!
SINGERS (12:55):
It's Ranger Rae and the Wildlifers!
Gotta get those nuts. Gotta get those nuts.
A squirrel's gotta get thosenuts. Especially a Red Squirrel
like me. We need all the nuts wecan get.
Ah! There's a nice acorn.That'll make a fine addition to
my collection.
Now, if only I could rememberwhere I buried my stash.
(00:24):
Oh, great. Here comes GreySquirrel, just what I need.
GREY SQUIRREL (00:28):
All right, Red. Out looking for nuts, are we?
RED SQUIRREL (00:31):
Hi, Grey. I suppose you're gonna claim that
acorn is yours?
GREY SQUIRREL (00:36):
I did see it first, didn't I?
RED SQUIRREL (00:38):
I don't know. Did you?
GREY SQUIRREL (00:40):
Yeah, I reckon I did.
RED SQUIRREL (00:42):
Could you not just find your own nuts for once? You
already stole my whole stash.
GREY SQUIRREL (00:48):
No, I didn't. You just forgot why you stashed your
stash again.
RED SQUIRREL (00:53):
How dare you? We Red squirrels may have a habit
of forgetting where we hidethings, but that's not what
happened this time.
GREY SQUIRREL (01:00):
I bet it is.
RED SQUIRREL (01:01):
No, it isn't.
GREY SQUIRREL (01:03):
All right then, if you can remember where your
stash is, show me.
RANGER RAE (01:08):
I can't, because you'd only steal it if I show
you where it is.
GREY SQUIRREL (01:12):
But you said I already stole it.
RED SQUIRREL (01:14):
Yeah, it's... Leave my nuts alone.
GREY SQUIRREL (01:17):
Enough of this. Just give me that nut and this
will all be over.
RED SQUIRREL (01:21):
It's mine
GREY SQUIRREL (01:22):
We'll see about that Red.
RED SQUIRREL (01:25):
That's it. I'm calling for help.
GREY SQUIRREL (01:28):
Oh yeah? And who you gonna call?
RED SQUIRREL (01:30):
You'll see. Awoooo!
SINGERS (01:34):
Across the many majestic wild spaces of the
United Kingdom, from woods,wetlands, to mountain and heath,
whenever help is needed, oneranger and her animal friends
always answer the call.
It's Ranger Rae and theWildlifers.
RANGER RAE (01:51):
I can talk to animals. It's a ranger's dream.
SINGERS (01:54):
It's Ranger Ray and the Wildlifers.
RANGER RAE (01:58):
Say hello to my animal team.
SINGERS (02:00):
With Deer and Fox and Wildcat, Mole and Dragonfly and
Beaver and Bat.
Sound the alarm and we'll comerunning to you.
DEER (02:10):
With our animal powers, we'll know what to do.
SINGERS (02:14):
It's Ranger Ray and the Wildlifers.
RED SQUIRREL (02:19):
Ranger Ray and the Wildlifers will know what to do.
We'll have to try not to argueuntil they get here, which might
be a while.
GREY SQUIRREL (02:26):
I'm much better at not arguing than you are.
RED SQUIRREL (02:29):
No, you're not. I am the master of not arguing.
RANGER RAE (02:34):
Did someone call for Ranger Rae?
I'm here with Beaver and Fox.
ROXY (02:38):
And Roxy. To save the day.
RANGER RAE (02:41):
So, what's the problem, squirrels?
RED SQUIRREL (02:43):
Grey Squirrel stole my stash of nuts and now
they're trying to steal thisacorn I found too.
GREY SQUIRREL (02:48):
I didn't steal your stash and that's my acorn
because I saw it first.
ROXY (02:53):
Oh, Red squirrels and Grey squirrels really don't get
along, do they, Fox?
FOX (02:58):
Pardon, Roxy. Sorry, I'm a bit distracted. Isn't this place
beautiful?
RANGER RAE (03:04):
It sure is. Tollymore Forest Park is one of
Northern Ireland's biggestparks, and definitely one of its
most beautiful. They say it wasthe inspiration for Narnia.
BEAVER (03:14):
What's Narnia?
ROXY (03:15):
It's a magical land some children found in the back of a
wardrobe.
FOX (03:19):
The back of a wardrobe? That doesn't sound very magical
to me.
BEAVER (03:24):
This forest is nice, but let me tell you all the ways a
Beaver's touch could improvethings. You see, whenever
beavers are reintroduced,ecological improvements follow.
Now, see, I'd fell this treehere, this tree here, oh, and
that one there. That wouldcreate a nice water feature.
RED SQUIRREL (03:41):
Hey, Tollymore Forest Park doesn't need any
improving.
GREY SQUIRREL (03:44):
That's right, it's perfect and beautiful as it
is.
RANGER RAE (03:47):
Sounds to me like you both just agreed on
something. So there's some hopeyet.
RED SQUIRREL (03:52):
You know what, Grey? Maybe she's right.
GREY SQUIRREL (03:54):
No, she isn't.
RED SQUIRREL (03:57):
Alright, fine.
RANGER RAE (03:59):
So what's this about a stash of nuts, Fred?
GREY SQUIRREL (04:02):
Grey Squirrel stole my stash.
I did not.
RED SQUIRREL (04:05):
And now they're trying to steal my acorn.
RANGER RAE (04:07):
Okay, that last one might be true, but I didn't
steal the stash, honest. Howcould I steal it if I don't even
know where it is?
FOX (04:15):
Why don't we just check the stash and see what's there?
RED SQUIRREL (04:19):
Well, I... I guess we could do that. It's just,
well, I sort of, maybe...
GREY SQUIRREL (04:24):
Red's forgotten where they stashed their stash,
as usual.
RED SQUIRREL (04:28):
Red squirrels forgetting where they stashed
stuff is a harmful myth.
GREY SQUIRREL (04:32):
So where is it then?
Well, in this particular case,the harmful myth is true.
Anyway, it's a positive thingthat we forget where we stash
our nuts. It's good for nature,helps spread the seeds around,
which helps forest regeneration.
BEAVER (04:49):
Ranger Rae, I have an idea.
RANGER RAE (04:51):
Let's hear it, Beaver.
BEAVER (04:52):
What these squirrels could really use is a pond. So I
say we gnaw down this tree here,and this one here, creating a
water blockage, or dam, if youwill, which will attract all
sorts of wildlife, like frogsand dragonflies...
FOX (05:06):
Pardon my interruption, but what has this got to do with Red
and Grey squirrels arguing?
BEAVER (05:13):
Oh, right. I forgot what problem we were trying to solve.
FOX (05:16):
What if I used my super Fox tracking skills to find this
stash of nuts? Would that help?
RED SQUIRREL (05:23):
Yes, I suppose it would.
GREY SQUIRREL (05:25):
I'll do anything to clear my name.
RANGER RAE (05:26):
Very good, Fox. Lead the way.
How's the tracking going, Fox?
DEER (05:34):
It's going okay. This way! I think if we just... No, wait!
That way! Ha, yeah, now we'reback on track. I'm sniffing for
Red Squirrel scent, rather thanthe nuts, seeing as we're not
even sure if the nuts are there.This way!
ROXY (05:51):
Ranger Rae, how come Red squirrels and Grey squirrels
don't get along?
GREY SQUIRREL (05:55):
Because Red Squirrels are silly.
RED SQUIRREL (05:57):
We are not silly, you're silly.
GREY SQUIRREL (05:59):
No, I'm not.
RED SQUIRREL (06:00):
Yes, you are. You're the silliest billy in the
whole forest.
GREY SQUIRREL (06:03):
Well, you're the silliest billy in the whole
universe.
RANGER RAE (06:05):
Calm down, everybody. The history of Red
squirrels and Grey squirrels isa long and difficult one. Roxy,
did you bring along your banjo?
ROXY (06:13):
I did.
RANGER RAE (06:14):
How about some storytime music?
ROXY (06:16):
Sure thing.
RANGER RAE (06:18):
Once upon a time, Red squirrels were found all
over the UK.
GREY SQUIRREL (06:23):
We call it the before-time.
RANGER RAE (06:25):
Red squirrels are native to the UK and have been
here for over 10,000 years. Sothey evolved to thrive in the
habitat of the UK's forests.
BEAVER (06:34):
Speaking of thriving, wouldn't this forest look
amazing with a newBeaver-designed waterfall?
ALL (06:39):
Not now, Beaver!
RANGER RAE (06:41):
But in the 19th century, the Grey Squirrel
arrived here from America.
GREY SQUIRREL (06:46):
Yo.
RANGER RAE (06:48):
Grey squirrels are bigger and stronger squirrels,
and they soon dominated thehabitats of the Red squirrels.
RED SQUIRREL (06:53):
Some would call this bullying.
GREY SQUIRREL (06:55):
Nonsense. It's survival of the fittest.
RANGER RAE (06:57):
And so the Red squirrels were pushed out. Their
numbers dwindled, and theyweren't helped by the fact that
the Grey squirrels carried thesquirrelpox virus.
GREY SQUIRREL (07:05):
Oh, not this again. It's just the sniffles.
RED SQUIRREL (07:08):
Not for us, it's not.
RANGER RAE (07:10):
This virus doesn't really affect the Grey Squirrel,
but it can be lethal to the Red.
GREY SQUIRREL (07:15):
It's not like we do it on purpose.
RED SQUIRREL (07:17):
I bet you do.
GREY SQUIRREL (07:19):
Alright, someone better hold me back because I'm
going to let Red have it.
RED + GREY SQUIRREL (07:22):
Come here, you!
PINE MARTEN (07:23):
Oi oi oi oi. What's all this shouting? We'll have no
trouble here.
ROXY (07:31):
Look, look, look! It's a Pine Marten!
FOX (07:33):
Martin who?
BEAVER (07:34):
A pine what?
ROXY (07:36):
This is so exciting. I've never seen one up close before.
PINE MARTEN (07:41):
Well, yes, yes, yes. We Pine Martens are
notoriously difficult to spot.
BEAVER (07:45):
You look like a cross between a squirrel and a weasel.
PINE MARTEN (07:48):
Ah, but we are neither squirrel nor weasel. We
are the mighty Pine Marten, andwe've been native to the UK for
as long as the Red Squirrel.
BEAVER (07:58):
So how come I've never seen you before?
PINE MARTEN (08:00):
Could I have some banjo music, please?
ROXY (08:03):
Sure thing.
PINE MARTEN (08:05):
Once upon a time, thousands of years ago, the Pine
Marten was one of the mostcommon predators in the UK. We
were everywhere, even if peopledidn't spot us all that often.
But then, humans did as humansoften do, and hunted us until
all our number sank so low, webecame but a whisper. Do you
remember the Pine Marten? They'dsay. Whatever happened to them?
FOX (08:28):
I'll have to hold my paws up and admit, we foxes did hunt
our fair share of pine martens.
PINE MARTEN (08:35):
But you were one of our natural predators, just like
we were one of the RedSquirrel's natural predators.
That's nature in action.
GREY SQUIRREL (08:42):
See? Survival of the fittest.
FOX (08:44):
Silence!
I believe we're getting closerto the stash. This way, into the
older part of the forest.
ROXY (08:53):
Is it true there are lots more pine martens about now?
PINE MARTEN (08:57):
Yes, pine martens are making a real comeback. And
that's not all. We've beentasked with ending the rivalry
between Red squirrels and Greysquirrels.
GREY SQUIRREL (09:06):
What rubbish.
BEAVER (09:08):
How are you going to do that? By building a beautiful
water feature in the forest?
PINE MARTEN (09:12):
Of course not. It turns out that our long history
together means the Red squirrelsare quite good at dodging pine
marten attacks, but the Greysquirrels, not so much.
GREY SQUIRREL (09:22):
That's because we never got to practice.
PINE MARTEN (09:25):
Precisely. So when Pine Martens are introduced to a
habitat, Grey squirrels are mucheasier to hunt because they
don't have as much practice athiding from us.
ROXY (09:35):
So if you reintroduce Pine Martens into a forest, it helps
even out the numbers of Greysquirrels?
PINE MARTEN (09:41):
Now you're getting it. But it can't all be left to
the Pine Martins. It takes acombination of efforts, like
monitoring squirrel populations,habitat restoration...
FOX (09:49):
Silence!
The stash should be...
Right here.
RED SQUIRREL (09:55):
Yes.
I do sort of maybe recognisethis place.
GREY SQUIRREL (09:59):
You've no idea have you.
RED SQUIRREL (10:01):
Yes I do! It was right here! Or maybe right over
there.
ROXY (10:08):
Ranger Rae, what was that?
RANGER RAE (10:10):
I'm not sure, Roxy, but I've heard it a few times
now.
FOX (10:16):
I know what it is. We're hearing the Wood Wide Web in
action. Of course, the Wood WideWeb.
ROXY (10:22):
Don't you mean the World Wide Web?
RANGER RAE (10:25):
Nope. It turns out nature beat us to inventing the
internet by about 500 millionyears.
ROXY (10:31):
But how?
FOX (10:32):
Lots of trees and plants in a forest are connected by
underground networks of roots.And fungus.
ROXY (10:39):
So you're saying that all these old trees are connected to
each other?
FOX (10:43):
Yeah, the Wood Wide Web even means trees can send
warning signs to each other ifthey're under attack by insects.
ROXY (10:51):
Are they communicating now?
FOX (10:54):
They're probably putting a warning out because they heard
there's a Beaver in the area.
BEAVER (11:00):
Who, me?
Don't worry trees, I won't begnawing through any of you. This
place looks fine as it is. Nowater features necessary.
RANGER RAE (11:09):
Some of the forests in the UK are so old that trees
have had thousands of years toform these underground
connections. The oldest tree inthe UK is about 3,000 years old.
ROXY (11:20):
3,000?
RANGER RAE (11:21):
Yep, the Fortingale Yew Tree in Scotland.
ROXY (11:24):
Amazing!
GREY SQUIRREL (11:25):
It really puts things into perspective, doesn't
it?
RED SQUIRREL (11:28):
What's that, Grey?
GREY SQUIRREL (11:29):
Oh, you know, all these trees living alongside
each other peacefully forthousands of years. Forging
connections in order to keepeach other safe. You don't see
them fighting over acorns. Itreally makes you think.
RED SQUIRREL (11:42):
I guess it does.
RANGER RAE (11:44):
You know what, Red? You have the acorn.
RED SQUIRREL (11:47):
What? Really?
RANGER RAE (11:49):
Yeah, I can always find another one.
RED SQUIRREL (11:51):
Wow, thanks, Gray. To be honest, I don't think I'm
going to find that stash anyway.I've no idea where I left it.
GREY SQUIRREL (11:59):
I know.
RED SQUIRREL (12:00):
Typical Red Squirrel, eh?
RANGER RAE (12:03):
That's very big of both of you, Red and Grey.
ROXY (12:05):
Yeah, you should be very proud.
GREY SQUIRREL (12:08):
We've done enough arguing, haven't we? Nobody
wants to hear more of that.Anyway, Pine Marten will be here
to keep us in check.
PINE MARTEN (12:15):
Right, I will.
RANGER RAE (12:16):
It sounds like the trees agree too.
FOX (12:18):
So, in the end. I was trying to track something that
wasn't even there. What a wasteof my talents.
BEAVER (12:27):
And I didn't even get to build a water feature.
FOX (12:30):
At least we solved Red and Grey's argument. That's nothing
to be sniffed at.
GREY SQUIRREL (12:35):
Neither was Red's stash.
RANGER RAE (12:39):
Sometimes the best way to learn about these things
is to observe animals in theirnatural habitats.
ROXY (12:47):
Or we could go and help an animal in its natural habitat.
Come on, Wildlifers!
RANGER RAE (12:53):
Everybody ready? Wildlifers, away!
SINGERS (12:55):
It's Ranger Rae and the Wildlifers!
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