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28/07/2017
Belfast Zoo 'Celebrating Conservation Success'
Belfast Zoo is "celebrating another conservation success" with the birth of five red squirrel kittens.
The red squirrel, believed to have been native across Ireland for more than 10,000 years, is now said to be in "serious trouble" in Northern Ireland. The population has dramatically declined due to the loss of their forest habitats in addition to competition from the invasive grey squirrel that carries a lethal pox virus.
Zoo manager, Alyn Cairns, said: "Here at Belfast Zoo, we care for some of the most endangered species from around the globe but the problem is closer to home than most people think. Animals on our own doorstep are facing increasing threats and populations are disappearing at an alarming rate. Recognising this alarming trend, the Belfast Zoo team formed a native species group in 2004 to work on a number of native species projects. In 2012, following the culmination of many years of work and consultation with local wildlife organisations, we opened red squirrel nook."
"The aim of the nook was predominantly to interact with visitors to educate them about this iconic native animal and the risks threatening the red squirrel. However, from the beginning, the hope was that the squirrels would be sufficiently content in the nook to breed. In anticipation of this, release arrangements were drawn up by Belfast Zoo, the Northern Ireland Environment Agency and the Northern Ireland Squirrel Forum. The aim was for Belfast-Zoo bred kittens to supplement current populations in protected areas around Northern Ireland. This innovative project therefore led to the release of the first Belfast Zoo-born red squirrels into Glenarm Estate in 2014. This success was duplicated with the release of further animals into Ballykinler Estate in 2015."
It is understood that in January this year, the Zoo was contacted by the PSNI who had rescued young male red squirrel who could not return to the wild. It is this rescued male that has now become the Zoo's breeding male and the father of the latest five kittens to be born earlier this month.
(MH/LM)
The red squirrel, believed to have been native across Ireland for more than 10,000 years, is now said to be in "serious trouble" in Northern Ireland. The population has dramatically declined due to the loss of their forest habitats in addition to competition from the invasive grey squirrel that carries a lethal pox virus.
Zoo manager, Alyn Cairns, said: "Here at Belfast Zoo, we care for some of the most endangered species from around the globe but the problem is closer to home than most people think. Animals on our own doorstep are facing increasing threats and populations are disappearing at an alarming rate. Recognising this alarming trend, the Belfast Zoo team formed a native species group in 2004 to work on a number of native species projects. In 2012, following the culmination of many years of work and consultation with local wildlife organisations, we opened red squirrel nook."
"The aim of the nook was predominantly to interact with visitors to educate them about this iconic native animal and the risks threatening the red squirrel. However, from the beginning, the hope was that the squirrels would be sufficiently content in the nook to breed. In anticipation of this, release arrangements were drawn up by Belfast Zoo, the Northern Ireland Environment Agency and the Northern Ireland Squirrel Forum. The aim was for Belfast-Zoo bred kittens to supplement current populations in protected areas around Northern Ireland. This innovative project therefore led to the release of the first Belfast Zoo-born red squirrels into Glenarm Estate in 2014. This success was duplicated with the release of further animals into Ballykinler Estate in 2015."
It is understood that in January this year, the Zoo was contacted by the PSNI who had rescued young male red squirrel who could not return to the wild. It is this rescued male that has now become the Zoo's breeding male and the father of the latest five kittens to be born earlier this month.
(MH/LM)
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03 October 2014
Red Squirrels Released Into Wild
Four red squirrels born at Belfast Zoo have been released into the wild at Glenarm estate in County Antrim. Zoo curator and chairperson of the Belfast Zoo native species group, Alyn Cairns, explained: "Here at the zoo, we care for and conserve a variety of endangered species from across the world.
Red Squirrels Released Into Wild
Four red squirrels born at Belfast Zoo have been released into the wild at Glenarm estate in County Antrim. Zoo curator and chairperson of the Belfast Zoo native species group, Alyn Cairns, explained: "Here at the zoo, we care for and conserve a variety of endangered species from across the world.
04 April 2011
Red Squirrel Faces New Threat
Northern Ireland's already dwindling red squirrel population was dealt another blow with the recent discovery of a fatal squirrel disease. The infected red squirrels were first spotted by members of the Tollymore Red Squirrel Group. This marks the first recorded instance of a red squirrel dying from this disease.
Red Squirrel Faces New Threat
Northern Ireland's already dwindling red squirrel population was dealt another blow with the recent discovery of a fatal squirrel disease. The infected red squirrels were first spotted by members of the Tollymore Red Squirrel Group. This marks the first recorded instance of a red squirrel dying from this disease.
07 June 2018
Two Red Squirrels Released At Silent Valley Mountain Park
Two female red squirrels have been released at Silent Valley Mountain Park, Belfast Zoo has confirmed. The site was selected as part of a nation-wide scheme to enhance the population of the threatened species. Zoo manager, Alyn Cairns, said: "Belfast Zoo first became home to red squirrels in 2012 when three animals arrived from the Glens of Antrim.
Two Red Squirrels Released At Silent Valley Mountain Park
Two female red squirrels have been released at Silent Valley Mountain Park, Belfast Zoo has confirmed. The site was selected as part of a nation-wide scheme to enhance the population of the threatened species. Zoo manager, Alyn Cairns, said: "Belfast Zoo first became home to red squirrels in 2012 when three animals arrived from the Glens of Antrim.
11 January 2008
New Visitor Centre For Belfast Zoo
Construction has begun on a new, £600,000 state of the art visitor centre at Belfast Zoo. The new entrance pavilion will include a new souvenir shop, pay-booths and payment systems, a covered walkway for wet weather shelter and a tourist exhibition space focussing on native and non-native wildlife.
New Visitor Centre For Belfast Zoo
Construction has begun on a new, £600,000 state of the art visitor centre at Belfast Zoo. The new entrance pavilion will include a new souvenir shop, pay-booths and payment systems, a covered walkway for wet weather shelter and a tourist exhibition space focussing on native and non-native wildlife.
14 September 2004
Fast disappearing red squirrel on show at Fermanagh reserve
The red squirrel, an increasingly rare sight in Northern Ireland's countryside due to the success of its North American grey rival, will be on show for local wildlife enthusiasts in Co Fermanagh this week.
Fast disappearing red squirrel on show at Fermanagh reserve
The red squirrel, an increasingly rare sight in Northern Ireland's countryside due to the success of its North American grey rival, will be on show for local wildlife enthusiasts in Co Fermanagh this week.
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