TOLLYMORE RED SQUIRREL GROUP

Tollymore Forest Park is situated in the northern foothills of the Mourne Mountains in Co. Down, Northern Ireland,
approximately 2 miles from the seaside town of Newcastle. The park is managed by Forest Service (DARDNI) and covers almost 480ha.

Red squirrels are known to have been present in Tollymore Park since 1880, but were probably there long before that. 
Grey squirrels arrived in the park in the mid 1990’s.  In early 2004 it could be seen that grey squirrel numbers were
dramatically increasing and that red squirrel numbers were in decline. Something drastic would have to be done if native
red squirrels were going to survive in Tollymore Park.