UK man finds rare albino squirrel after mistakening it for a plastic bag: ‘I’ve never seen one before in my life’

A man taking a casual walk through a park was surprised when what he first thought was a piece of trash turned out to be something far more unusual — a rare albino squirrel.

Oliver Reynolds, 45, had been walking through Mote Park in Maidstone, Kent, on March 23 when he noticed something white in the distance. At first glance, the warehouse worker assumed it was just a plastic bag or some other litter lying on the ground.

However, as he looked more closely, the object began to move. That’s when Reynolds realized it wasn’t garbage at all, but a white squirrel with distinctive red eyes.

Close-up of Oliver Reynolds in a black "Boss Hugo Boss" baseball cap and graying beard, against a background of blurred, colorful lights. — Oliver Reynolds, 45, was strolling around Mote Park in Maidstone, Kent, on March 23 when something caught his eye. Oliver Reynolds / SWNS

Reynolds said the moment caught him completely off guard. Initially convinced he was looking at a discarded bag, he became startled when it suddenly started hopping around. Curious, he moved closer to take a photo and confirmed it was indeed a squirrel, noticing its red eyes as it moved through the area.

He said he was especially surprised to see such an animal in that location, explaining that he had never encountered anything like it before in his life.

An albino squirrel foraging on a forest floor. — I was really shocked to see it in that sort of area – I’ve never seen one before in my life,” Reynolds said. Oliver Reynolds / SWNS

An albino squirrel foraging in Mote Park. — According to one 1998 study, squirrels are the only known albino mammal that can survive successfully in the wild. Oliver Reynolds / SWNS

An albino squirrel with red eyes on a forest floor covered in brown leaves and green plants. — The chances of an albino squirrel being born are about one in 100,000, according to reports. Oliver Reynolds / SWNS

Albino squirrels are extremely uncommon. Reports suggest the likelihood of one being born is roughly one in 100,000. Research published in 1998 also found that squirrels are the only albino mammals known to survive effectively in the wild. Scientists attribute this to the cone-rich retinas in their eyes, which allow their vision to remain less impaired than that of other mammals with the condition.

After the encounter, Reynolds shared the photo with his family. His daughter reacted with amazement when she saw it. His wife was also surprised, and he said she wished she had joined him for the walk that day.

Reflecting on the moment, Reynolds said experiences like that become more meaningful with age, adding that it was something he truly appreciated witnessing.

Original Source