Red squirrel conservation: The assessment of a reintroduction experiment

Abstract

The methods used to assess a red squirrel Sciurus vulgaris reintroduction experiment at Parco Groane, northern Italy, are described. Population size at the removal site was estimated (c. 2400 squirrels) using drey counts, to evaluate the effect of removing animals for reintroduction. Suitability of the release site was investigated in two ways: (1) beforehand, by comparing tree seed abundance with that at the removal site, (2) retrospectively, by comparing drey-site choice between removal and release site. Increase and dispersion of the reintroduced population were monitored using drey counts and searching for species-specific feeding signs. Although only eight squirrels could be released (four males, four females), the experiment was successful and by 1996 all wooded habitats at Parco Groane were inhabited by squirrels. © 1997 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.