Red squirrels born on military training area

Baby red squirrels have been born at the Ballykinler Training Area in Northern Ireland.

The offspring, known as kittens, have been born at the military site as part of a special breeding programme set up to increase the red squirrel population.

The Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) was approached by the Northern Ireland Environment Agency, Belfast Zoo and Northern Ireland Squirrel Forum in 2015 to support the re-introduction of red squirrels.

Ballykinler Training Area is one of six sites in Northern Ireland where Belfast Zoo-born red squirrels have been released.

It was chosen as there are no grey squirrels or pine martens on site, allowing the red squirrels to safely acclimatise to the outside world and develop survival skills before widening their horizons into other forests across Northern Ireland.

Tony Canniford, DIO’s Senior Training Safety Officer for Ballykinler Training Centre, said: "It’s great to see the first set of new-born baby squirrels venturing out into the wild into managed wild habitats within the site’s training grounds.

"Ballykinler is a diverse site offering the ideal location and environment for red squirrels to breed and adapt to the outside world."

The squirrel kittens were initially placed in a soft release pen with a safe access to allow them to acclimatise to their new environment.

They were then released into managed wild habitats within the site’s training grounds after a week to allow them to take their first steps into the outside world and adjust to life in the wild in a safe and secure environment.

Alyn Cairns, zoo manager at Belfast Zoo, said: "We are delighted that red squirrels released into Ballykinler as part of a breeding programme have now produced kittens.

"This is a successful step forward in ensuring the conservation of this iconic native species and we hope the population will continue to grow in future.

"To be part of such a passionate conservation-focused programme is a huge honour for Belfast Zoo.

"Belfast Zoo cares for some of the world’s most endangered species that are facing increasing threats in their natural habitats and it’s vital that we play a leading role in protecting Northern Ireland’s very own wildlife on our own doorstep."

The squirrels will spend a year getting accustomed to the environment, before being re-captured and released into the woodlands of Northern Ireland.

It is hoped they will thrive with further breeding and build up a robust red squirrel population throughout Northern Ireland.

Cover image: Belfast Zoo.