Bridges and corridors help squirrels keep skipping

Sunday 17 March 2019

Rope bridges and corridors have been placed around the island thanks to new funding aiming to help the one of Jersey’s “most treasured animals” out of danger on the roads.

The support for the Jersey’s distinctive red squirrels comes following a collaboration between Skipton and Jersey Trees for Life.

Recent reports from islanders suggested a spate of fatal accidents, leading many to call for islanders to be more careful on local roads.

Pictured: Islanders recently reported a spate of squirrels being killed on local roads.

Jersey Trees had for some time been working to support the little critters when dealing with dangerous traffic by creating special rope bridges. 

They took on the project from the Environment Department at the end of last year, but, despite an immense amount of support from the public, struggled to find the funding to commence this work on these useful avenues for red squirrels.

However, with the help of a £1,500 contribution of Skipton’s Community Fund, and a donation of rope from Ports of Jersey, the project is now on its way to becoming a reality.

It will help squirrels’ lives become easier by providing passages of trees, while poles will also be erected poles to support the bridges wherever is necessary. 

Pictured: A squirrel enjoying feasting on a nut.

Alongside this project, Skipton’s funding will also go towards the Hedgerow Campaign, which looks to replace or grow some new hedges from Jerseys local species, such as hedgehogs, insects, bats and birds. 

These useful hedgerow corridors will also help animals, including squirrels, to travel much more safely around the island.

Beverley Dallas-Chapman, Senior Fundraiser at the Jersey Trees For Life, commented: "The Red Squirrel is one of Jersey's most treasured animals and there is a lot of local support when it comes to protecting them. We are working closely with the JSPCA to identify 'hot spot' areas where a lot of casualties have been found and where the bridges could be hugely beneficial.  

“We are very grateful to Skipton for their generous grant which has enabled us to make a start on this project at a time when it is desperately needed."

Pictured: Hedgerows are very important for Jersey's wildlife.

Lorraine Mclean, Mortgage Sales manager at Skipton International, added: "We are so pleased to be able to help with this conservation project. Jersey is home to many rare species such as the Red Squirrel and as an organisation we would like to do our part in preserving their habitat to protect their numbers."

Anyone that is interested in contributing to this project or having a squirrel rope bridge erected should contact Beverley by email: beverley@jerseytreesforlife.org