Drivers urged to slow down after seven red squirrels hurt in a day
The JSPCA says it has been called to rescue seven squirrels injured on the roads in one day.
An animal shelter has issued a plea to drivers to slow down in woodland areas after seven red squirrels were injured on an island's roads in one day.
The JSPCA Animals' Shelter, in St Helier, Jersey, said that it had been called to a worrying number of casualties in "a short space of time".
Jersey has a thriving red squirrel population , due to the absence of grey squirrels, which carry a virus deadly to their red cousins.
Red squirrels are endangered in the UK , with about 120,000 to 160,000 left in the wild.
A post on the shelter's Facebook page urged drivers to reduce their speed when driving through areas where squirrels may be crossing and to keep an extra lookout, particularly near wooded areas and roads surrounded by trees.
If you hit a squirrel, the shelter have advised islanders to stop somewhere safe and either call the JSPCA for advice or bring the squirrel directly to them if it is safe to do so.
"These little animals are precious, and every life matters," the shelter said.
"A few extra seconds of care and attention behind the wheel could make all the difference.
"The little squirrel pictured escaped with just a split lip, which was expertly stitched back together by our wonderful JSPCA vets."
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