Write a commentRed Squirrel Safari on Saturday the 17th of May runs from 2.00pm until 4.00pm at Slieve Gullion Forrest Park.
The event sees Newry and Mourne District Council’s Ring of Gullion team and Ulster Wildlife providing a fun packed afternoon focusing on the Red Squirrel.
Ulster Wildlife will provide some fun activities on the new Red Squirrel Safari. The event is supported by Newry and Mourne District Council, Northern Ireland Environment Agency and The Ring of Gullion and Cooley Red Squirrel Group.
There will also be a chance to speak to members of the Ring of Gullion and Cooley Red Squirrel Group to find out what is happening to help the red squirrel in the wider area and new members are always welcome!
Therese Hamill, the Ring of Gullion AONB Officer explains, “The trail takes the public on a journey of the red squirrel’s natural habitat. This free, family friendly event will include activities such as arts and crafts, a squirrel quiz with prizes to be won, as well as lots of information on our shy friend the red squirrel.”
The red squirrel is one of the most popular and easily recognisable of our woodland mammals. With their distinctive russet fur, tufted ears and twitching tail, a red squirrel is always a captivating sight in our forests, if you’re lucky enough to catch a glimpse of one! They’re agile, cute and furry, and we’re all nuts about them! Yet, these flashes of red are becoming more and more rare. Disease, loss of habitat and increasing numbers of grey squirrels have taken their toll on our red squirrel population, which has fallen rapidly in recent years.
The Red Squirrel is one of the most threatened mammals in the UK and Ireland. The Ring of Gullion is one of the last strong holds for red squirrels in Northern Ireland.
For more information on the Ring of Gullion and Cooley Red Squirrel Group visit: www.ringofgullion.org, or search for Ring of Gullion on Facebook and Twitter.
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