SSPCA care for red squirrels Fanta and Tango at Fishcross

It's been an adventure for the month-old pair who have been recovering in Clacks after being found injured, alone, cold and soaking wet.

A member of the public saw them at the base of a tree near Oban last month and a Scottish SPCA animal rescue officer carefully lifted them out of the ditch and to safety.

One of the young squirrels was thought to have an injury to its leg potentially from falling out of its nest – known as a drey.

Tiny red squirrels, Fanta and Tango, are recovering in Fishcross. (Image: Scottish SPCA)

Both Fanta and Tango were taken to the charity’s National Wildlife Rescue Centre in Fishcross, where they received a course of antibiotics and are continuing to be cared for by the small mammals team.

The pair have recently been moved to the centre’s large outdoor enclosure where they are able to further recover and explore safely.

The SSPCA said: "They arrived on April Fool’s Day – and haven’t stopped playing pranks.

"The pair have been microchipped which will help us to monitor them long after they have been let go."

The charity release red squirrels at around 16 weeks old as, by this stage, they are fully independent in the wild.

Tiny red squirrels, Fanta and Tango, are recovering in Fishcross. (Image: Scottish SPCA)

Fanta and Tango’s arrival came ahead of the first ever Save Our Reds Day today (Friday).

It's a campaign held across the UK to protect red squirrels as a native species and their habitats.

Scotland is home to 80 per cent of the red squirrel population.

Molly Martin, from the Scottish Wildlife Trust's Saving Scotland's Red Squirrels project, said: "Red squirrels are a much-loved species here in Scotland.

"With their russet fur and tufted ears, they’re a real joy to spot when you’re out and about in our woodlands, and even in urban parks and gardens in some parts of the country.

Tiny red squirrels, Fanta and Tango, are recovering in Fishcross. (Image: Scottish SPCA)

“We’re lucky to have around 80 per cent of the UK’s red squirrels here, but we are at risk of losing this iconic Scottish wildlife.

"Red squirrels are under threat of being replaced by invasive non-native grey squirrels, which out-compete them for food and habitat, and can carry the deadly squirrelpox virus.

“Red squirrels are also affected by habitat loss and fragmentation, as well as climate change and road collisions.

Tiny red squirrels, Fanta and Tango, are recovering in Fishcross. (Image: Scottish SPCA)

“Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels is a partnership project dedicated to protecting and restoring populations of red squirrels across the country.

"We’re proud to have support from organisations such as the Scottish SPCA, as well as members of the public.

“One of the best ways anyone can get involved with red squirrel conservation is by reporting their sightings of red and grey squirrels on our website.”