The Delmarva Fox Squirrel celebrating the news by eating corn.
As man continues to destroy the natural habitat of many species of the animal kingdom, we finally have some good news, as the Delmarva fox squirrel is no longer endangered. After many efforts of conservation, the cute grey squirrel can finally be erased from the list of endangered species.
The Delmarva fox squirrel entered the list about fifty years ago, when people started seeing less and less of them. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service decided to include them within the endangered species, and adopted a series of measures to ensure the survival of the animals.
Firstly, the habitat was protected thoroughly as the squirrels cannot survive outside forests. Forests are also good breeding places. Secondly, hunting Delmarva squirrels was forbidden, since a lot of specimens died from the bullets of hunters in the past.
The Delmarva fox squirrels weigh between 2.5 and 4 pounds and are as tall as 38 inches. They also have a long and very fluffy tail which can reach 15 inches. They live mostly on private land, in agricultural fields and mature forests.
Michael Bean, wildlife and fish deputy assistant secretary, stated that the return of the grey squirrel is a symbol for the success of the effectiveness of an initiative titled Endangered Species Act. He also thanked the states of Virginia, Maryland and Delaware for their efforts in saving the species over the years.
In spite of these good news, the U.S. Authorities had to review the list of animal species that are endangered. This happens because some regions become too populated with animals of the same kind, endangered or not. Some of the endangered species can even be harmful to humans.
As the triumph of nature is crowned with success for the fox squirrel, the same cannot be said about other iconic animals. Panda bears, tigers and rhinos are only a few examples. The last white rhino, a 42 year old male named Sudan, is guarded at all times from poachers. His horn has been removed in a desperate attempt to save the species, but the situation does not look bright.
The fact that the Delmarva fox squirrel is no longer endangered is wonderful news, but we need to take drastic measures against poaching and every other factors that kill these wonderful beasts. A world without them would be grim.
Image Source: www.attractionmag.com
