Urban decoder
The other day in Trinity Bellwoods Park, I saw a snow white squirrel with bright red eyes leaping around in a rather agitated fashion. Am I seeing things? If not, was there something wrong with it? —Meredith Abbott-Richards, Little Portugal
Posted on June 1, 2003Consider yourself blessed. What you saw was one of Queen West’s elusive and much admired albino squirrels. First spotted circa 1985, the fair beasts initially lived in a tree on the grounds of the Queen Street Mental Health Centre, before bravely migrating across the street to Trinity Bellwoods. Over the years, they’ve attracted a following, with disciples believing the rodents portend good fortune. For a while, the squirrels’ population swelled, until by the mid-’90s there were some 25 to 30 in the area. Alas, in recent years the albinos have been felled by genetic problems related to their blanched condition—which may explain why the specimen you saw seemed indisposed. Congenitally poor eyesight, in particular, is a bane to a species whose primary talent is the acrobatic leap. Today, appearances are rare; the ruby-eyed may soon live on only in legends—or nightmares.
- Categories: Environment
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Comments
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James June 17, 2007 at 9:29 p.m.
HI, I live in Brampton and took a few pictures of one today. Great fathers day gift. Found in my back yard while I was drinkning my morning coffee.
bob whalen September 8, 2007 at 6:42 p.m.
Albino squirrels are alive and well and have been around the Trinity Bellwoods for as long as I have lived here (moved here 1980) I gots pics of one eating a mushroom.
Aislinn October 2, 2007 at 10:15 a.m.
I took pictures of an Albino squirrel yesterday in Trinity Bellwoods Park - I wonder if it's the same one I saw about 3 years ago there?
Dave Hurds October 26, 2007 at 11:12 a.m.
I saw one this morning walking on the hydro wires, on richmond not far from Trinity Bellwoods... they look like a rat with a fuzzy tail from afar!
AJ November 9, 2007 at 9:40 a.m.
While walking through Trinity Bellwoods Park this morning on my way to work I saw the albino squirrel playing with a group of regular squirrels. I could not stop laughing and smiling since I have heard the legend and seen the t-shirts around my neighbourhood. What a great way to start a friday! I feel very lucky to be a witness, alas I did not have my camera on me.
Walk & Talk Etc November 26, 2007 at 3:02 p.m.
Last Sunday, while waiting for our group of walkers to arrive, we spotted an albino squirrel foraging in the snow. It stayed around for some time and then climbed into a tree where it sat and watched us watching it. We thought we were very lucky to enjoy this rare sighting!
jz December 29, 2007 at 7:48 p.m.
saw one from the streetcar today. I called my grandmother who grew up on Bellwoods Av to see if she remembered any from her childhood. She couldn't recall but she has alzheimers. It certainly made her day, however.
Rainy December 30, 2007 at 5:01 p.m.
I've seen the squirrel a couple of times but today my daughter was treated to a viewing. It is a wondrous little thing. It moves about with the other squirrels, oblivious to it's white color. I suppose that's how it should be. I hope it's not the last of it's family. It's a beautiful little thing.
Ramblinpaul January 3, 2008 at 3:20 p.m.
After years of hearing about the albino squirrels of Trinity Bellwoods (and Exeter), I finally had the good fortune to see one today during my lunch-time walk. It was being chased by a grey squirrel in the trees along Queen Street (east of Trinity Dr/Strachan Ave). I was so excited I phoned my wife to tell her. I need to start walking with my camera........
hellen alatzakis January 9, 2008 at 7:10 p.m.
After hearing about the elusive white squirrels of Trinity Bellwoods Park I finally had the good fortune of viewing one today. An elderly man was feeding the squirrels peanuts so there was quite a gathering...I reached into my pocket for my cell phone and a few of the black ones gathered around me because they thought I would feed them as well! The white one ran up a pine tree to safely feast on his peanut.
Had I not known about the white squirrel I wouldn't have believed my eyes...I'll be back with treats of my own!
Monique February 12, 2008 at 3:21 p.m.
I saw one crossing the road in front of me in Bloor West Village about a year ago. Is that good luck?
paul s. March 12, 2008 at 1:41 p.m.
I live on Woodbine Ave.just north of Danforth.I have had an albino squirrel in my backyard since fall of 2004.He will eat out of my hand.He is starting to look pretty old.He chases the other squirrels away.He rarely eats bread as he has become spoiled.Usually only nutri-bars,cookies,nuts and fruit.
Cheri April 13, 2008 at 8:04 p.m.
I saw one from the Queen Streetcar last week, on the grounds of Osgoode Hall, playing with another black squirrel...It was my first initiation to this species since moving to Toronto 2 years ago from New Brunswick! Very cool...
Dave June 16, 2008 at 12:29 a.m.
The white squirrel lives in the north end of Trinity Bellwoods park... Shot a photo of him yesterday... amazing!