Plans to bring red squirrels back to former army camp

Plans to bring red squirrels back to former army camp

16 September 2015

THE Ministry of Defence has unveiled details of a new initiative at the former Ballykinlar army base to help reintroduce red squirrels back to forests across Northern Ireland.

It is working alongside Belfast Zoo and the Environment Agency and over the past six months, ministry staff have been preparing a “nursery” area what is now the Ballykinlar training centre that will introduce young red squirrel kittens born at the zoo to life in the wild.

This will take place in a “safe and secure environment, well clear of grey squirrels and other predators.

In deep woodland at the training centre under the shadow of the Mournes, zoologists and MoD staff have put in place a series of nesting boxes, specially designed runs high in the branches and feeding stations.

MoD estates manager Tony Canniford explained that it gives the young squirrels a chance to acclimatise to the outside world and develop skills and strength before being given the chance to widen their horizons in other forests across Northern Ireland. 

“This is an ideal spot for us to be able to give them some freedom and to ensure their safety without them getting too used to human interference,” he explained. 

“Ballykinlar is bounded on three sides by water. We have no grey squirrels here to harm the young reds and we have ample scope for the kittens to find their legs before getting a chance to make their homes in the bigger world.”

Even with ample natural food on hand, nothing is being taken for granted and the staff at the centre have been helping forage extra nuts and berries which are left at special feeding stations hidden round the woodland.

The kittens arrive at Ballykinlar in special nesting boxes which are place in a secure playpen but with access allowing them to take their first steps in safely into the outside world. 

And the fact the ranges are in regular use by Northern Ireland troops training for overseas deployments makes no difference to the young squirrels cocooned by the heavy pine and deciduous woodlands separating the ranges. 

Within minutes of arriving at their new home the first two male squirrels were setting off to explore and play, oblivious to the gunnery ranges with sound reduced by the heavy greenery.