Drought one of several factors threatening endangered Mount Graham red squirrels in southeastern Arizona
10/1/2014 4:13:44 PM
CATEGORIES:
Plants & Wildlife
AFFECTED AREAS:
Graham County, AZ
Start Date: 9/30/2014
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The endangered Mount Graham red squirrel population has dwindled to just 300 squirrels, prompting the Phoenix Zoo and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to embark upon a 10-year pilot program to establish a breeding program for the squirrels. The rodents perform a valuable service for trees in the forest by burying their food and discarding their scraps at the base of trees, which creates a micro-habitat where saplings can germinate. It is possible that the forest could look different without the squirrels to facilitate the growth of new trees.
Ongoing drought, forest insect outbreaks, fire damage to the forest canopy and tree diseases have made the forest less welcoming for the squirrels.
Arizona Republic (Phoenix) & AZCentral.com, Sept. 30, 2014
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