Drivers blamed for squirrel deaths
Thursday, 2 February 2012
One of the squirrels recently found dead after being struck by a motorist in the Glens.
Drivers in the Glens are being blamed for a huge rise in the number of squirrels killed on the roads in the area. The problem has prompted Joe Dowdall of The Glens Red Squirrel Group to make a plea to drivers urging them to slow down.
He said that the dangers posed by passing motorists is graver than the deadly Squirrel Pox Virus which can devastate the squirrel population.
The latest road deaths were discovered last Thursday morning, when Joe found two fatally injured red squirrels lying within 200 metres of each other close to Glenariff Forest Park.
Joe said: "Not only are Red Squirrels at risk in Glenariff, there are a lot of walkers who use the road to access the forest park and they are also in danger from people driving too fast.
“Drivers are just not thinking and this past year we have seen it happen repeatedly."
Over a two day period last week, five red squirrels were killed and at one 'black spot' on the Glenariff Road, six have been killed over the past nine months.
Joe said the problem seems to be getting worse because squirrels forage at this time of year, so there is a lot more activity in the area.
He is also fearful that the next generation of squirrels, who are due to appear next month, will fall victim to speeding drivers.
“They already have a 75% mortality rate and we don't want them dying on the road," he said.
He believes signs need to be erected in the area to remind drivers to be on the look out for squirrels.
The Chronicle contacted Roads Service to enquire if it was considering erecting signs in the area.
A spokesperson responded by saying it had received no calls about the deaths of red squirrels on the roads in the Glens area.
It added that warning signs normally relate to larger animals, like deer, which could present an impact danger to drivers.
The Glens Red Squirrel Group is commited to conserving the red squirrel population by providing supplementary feeding, public education and awareness and through grey squirrel control.
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