The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission has decided to uplist the western gray squirrel from threatened to endangered under the state’s Endangered Species Act (ESA).
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife estimates the population ranges from 400-1,400 squirrels.
“We are recommending reclassification as endangered wildlife, which is ‘seriously threatened with extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range within the state,’” Taylor Cotten, conservation assessment section manager at the department, said during the commission meeting.
Western gray squirrels are similar looking to eastern gray squirrels but are larger and have bushier tails. The squirrels are found in pine-oak forests with large trees.
“Thanks to the commission for understanding the danger and voting to uplist. Next up is a review of forest practice regulations by the Washington Department of Natural Resources, where we hope to see stronger protections adopted,” said Pat Arnold of Friends of the White Salmon River in response to the decision.
