Red squirrels spotted after ‘extinction'

It's a mystery that has experts baffled and bewitched. The red squirrel is back less than a decade after it was declared extinct in Westmeath. Local wildlife ranger Andrea Webb confirmed to the Westmeath Examiner that there are several reported sightings of Red Squirrels:“The Red Squirrel Survey concluded that the red squirrel was extinct in Westmeath and Meath. But they are definitely back and that is great and extremely exciting news.“Where they came from we would only be guessing but maybe it is that there was a small undetected resident population that has grown to a point where it has become more obvious.”Equally good news for fans of the red squirrel is that the grey squirrel population appears to be in a drastic decline.The red squirrel has been found in Ireland since before the last ice age, but became extinct a number of times. The removal of native woodlands helped to cause its decline. It was reintroduced in the 19th century but has again become rare and was considered absent from Westmeath.One of the local reported sightings of a red squirrel was made by Belvedere House Gardens and Park.TO READ MORE SEE THIS WEEK'S EDITION 29.1.11