C-6 



Status : Classified as endangered by U. S. Department of Interior. 

 Considered to be threatened with extinction (Flyger, 1973). May be 

 thought of as a threatened "island form" because of restricted range 

 on Delmarva Peninsula. The populations are decreasing fairly rapidly. 



Reasons for Decline : 



1. Encroachment on habitat by real estate (vacation homes, etc.) 

 and agriculture. 



2. Heavy cutting of pine and hardwood stands during 1880 's and again 

 at present. State forestry policy encourages woodlot owners to cut 

 their mature hardwood stands and plant quick-growing loblolly pine 



for marketing. 



3. Fires destroy habitat. 



4. Indiscriminate hunting and poaching, and occasional confusion 

 by hunters between Delmarva Fox Squirrel and Eastern Grey Squirrel 

 Sciurus carolinensis , because they have no knowledge of different 

 characteristics. Also, juvenile Fox Squirrels may be mistaken for 

 Grey Squirrels. 



One pair of captive squirrels is being held at Remington 

 Farms, Chestertown, Md. , for breeding purposes. Squirrels have been 

 held for 4 years and have not yet produced young. (Galbraith, 1973). 



Protective Measures Taken : 



1. Establishment of Blackwater and Eastern Neck National Wild- 

 life Refuges; plus the L' Compote State Wildlife Management Area (1970) 

 where squirrels find sanctuary and their habitat is protected. 



2. State of Maryland banned hunting Delmarva Fox Squirrels in 

 1971 and imposed a $50 fine for taking them. 



3. Introduction to Chincoteague N.W.R. in 1968 and 1971 to pro- 

 vide a breeding nucleus on federally protected lands. 



4. Research is being conducted at the University of Maryland by 

 Dr. V. Flyger and Mr. G. Taylor. 



Protective Measures Proposed : 



1. Stop logging mature stands of loblolly Pinus taeda and hard- 

 woods where good squirrel habitat exists. Another incentive might be 

 offered for leaving land in woodland condition. 



