Threatened Species: The European Ground Squirrel
Listed as an endangered species on the IUCN Red List, there is a significant decline in populations of the European Ground Squirrel in almost its entire range in Central and South-East Europe.
The European Ground Squirrel, the flagship species of open grassland habitats, is listed as an endangered species on the IUCN Red List (2019). There is a significant decline in populations of the species in almost its entire range in Central and South-East Europe. The decline in populations is mainly due to a reduction in suitable habitat, habitat fragmentation and a lack of appropriate management.
Protecting the habitat of certain populations or increasing the conservation level of a species (for example, in Hungary, the species was given strict protection in 2012 due to the significant decline of its population) is an important measure for its conservation. Still, it can only be effective in combination with other measures.
Due to the fragmentation of the species' habitats and the isolation of populations, reintroduction (i.e. translocation) is an important recovery strategy to inhabit remaining suitable habitats. Reintroduction programmes have been carried out in several countries, partly in the framework of nature conservation programmes — mainly, LIFE — which have become more sound and effective as experience has been built in.
Based on the assessment of implemented reintroduction projects, the method of release was found to be a key factor in determining the success of the species' reintroduction. This means the use of enclosures and/or artificial burrows, which ensure that translocated animals remain in the new habitat. Other important factors are the number of translocated animals — seasonal and total — and the future, long-term proper management of the new site.
You can read more about the method and success of reintroduction projects here and here.