History Dispatches White Squirrels of Olney
Feb 25, 2026
A quirky local wildlife tale about a century-old colony of albino squirrels that once numbered in the hundreds. The story covers how the white squirrels arrived, how the population grew and later declined, and the town’s unusual protections and festivals. Listeners hear about conservation efforts, community pride, and tips for spotting the rare animals.
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Origins Story Of Olney's White Squirrels
- Olney's white squirrel colony began after two albino squirrels were released into woods behind Mayor Thomas Tippett's house.
- Local lore ties the founders to either George Ridgely breeding captured whites or the Strope boys raising two white nestlings given to Jasper Banks.
Albinism Makes Squirrels Vulnerable
- Albinism is an evolutionary handicap for squirrels: white fur and pink eyes reduce camouflage and vision, increasing predation risk.
- Matt Breen notes glare-sensitive eyes and easier spotting by hawks and cats make survival to adulthood rarer for albinos.
Why Olney's White Squirrel Numbers Fell
- Olney's white population once ballooned (estimates claimed ~800 by 1941) but declined due to interbreeding, cars, and free-roaming/feral cats.
- Increased traffic and cat predation especially reduced albino survival and gene propagation.