The squirrel nook
The aim of red squirrel nook was predominantly educational, highlighting the plight of the red squirrel in Northern Ireland. However, from the beginning, the hope was that the squirrels would be sufficiently content in the nook to breed.
The first kitten was born in 2013 and subsequently Belfast Zoo has been celebrating the arrival lots more squirrel kittens. The young squirrels have been returned to the Glens of Antrim and South Down. With the 2017 youngsters being released into the southern Mournes during June 2018.
Chairperson of the NISF, Declan Looney, is delighted with the outcome of the project, “The aim of the Northern Ireland Squirrel Forum is to bring together those dedicated to protecting the red squirrel in Northern Ireland. It is extremely encouraging when this collaborative effort results in a project with such demonstrable results, as Belfast Zoo’s red squirrel nook.
Belfast Zoo’s ‘red squirrel nook’ is still home to red squirrels and some new kittens. When these kittens are old enough, a suitable area will be selected and further releases will be performed.
For more information, visit www.belfastzoo.co.uk/nativespecies or www.facebook.com/belfastzoo