The Red Squirrel fights back

RED squirrels are making a come back.

The endangered species had been under threat in recent years and their numbers drastically decreased.

Eventually Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council and the National Parks and Wildlife Service introduced 15 reds to Killiney Hill Park in August 2012 in a bid to prop up the ailing population.

One year later and a council report indicates that five Red Squirrels have remained within the boundary of the park.

“Two of the females are currently lactating indicating that they may be pregnant or have recently given birth,

? the council notes.

“There has been no confirmed litter at this stage but it is hoped more information will be available shortly. The natural regeneration of the Red Squirrel population is fundamental to the long term prospects of the project so any litters this year would be a landmark event.

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The report adds that four of the reds were killed in the last year – one by being hit by a car while natural predators were responsible for the deaths of the others.

It is believed that the remaining six Red Squirrels have dispersed from the confines of the park with one suspected of travelling all the way to Bray along the DART line.

A council official said that while there was initially a great response to a call for sightings of either reds or greys, this had fallen away in recent times.

“We are currently asking the public to once again help us by informing us of any sightings of reds or greys in the South Dublin area,

? the council stated.

“This information continues to be invaluable and it cannot be compiled without the public’s help.

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Cllr Victor Boyhan said the fact that five of the 15 Red Squirrels tagged and released into Killiney Hill Park last year have survived and remain in the park was great news.

“This indicates that the conservation project has the potential to be successful,

? he said.

“As a result of the tagging and observations we know that two females are successfully breeding.

“The council is asking the public to once again help them by informing them of any sightings. The more information we can gather the better, as it will help us ensure the success of increasing the Red Squirrel population.

?