Questo ragazzino, Speckled Ground Squirrel, hanno appena ottenuto nove ettari di terra nella regione di LVIV

The speckled ground squirrel (Spermophilus suslicus) is an endangered species in Ukraine

The speckled ground squirrel (Spermophilus suslicus) is an endangered species in Ukraine. It is also recognized as a threatened species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and protected under the Bern Convention. These small burrowing animals depend entirely on open pastures for survival, but their natural habitat is rapidly disappearing. As traditional livestock grazing declines, once-open meadow-steppe landscapes become overgrown with tall grass, shrubs, and trees, making them uninhabitable.

To help protect one of the last surviving populations in northeastern Lviv region, conservationists are working to establish a new protected area: a general zoological preserve, covering approximately 9.1 hectares. 

“Creating this protected site will allow us to safeguard one of only three remaining habitats of the speckled ground squirrel in this part of Lviv region,” said Hanna Bashta, acting director of the Department of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Lviv Regional State Administration.

As part of the effort, a volunteer cleanup (toloka) is happening on **July 4–5** in the village of **Sukhovolia**. The plan is to help the speckled ground squirrel by picking up trash, cutting back tall grass, and clearing out bushes – all things that make the area better for them to live in.

[https://zaxid.net/na_lvivshhini_provedut_toloku_dlya_zahistu_mists_prozhivannya_ridkisnogo_hovraha_n1613525](https://zaxid.net/na_lvivshhini_provedut_toloku_dlya_zahistu_mists_prozhivannya_ridkisnogo_hovraha_n1613525) 

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Burn muscovy long live the speckled ground squirrels!!!!!