Penza, 18 November 2014. PenzaNews. According to Igor Pantyushov, chairman of the regional branch of the Russian Geographical Society (RGS), the population of squirrels will soon be restored in Penza.

He reminded that during the Soviet years the population of this species of rodents was large, but since the early 1990s, squirrels were hardly seen in the city forests and parks.

“The squirrel is an indicator of the ecological condition of the area. These rodents will not live in polluted areas. In places where the forests are cut down, they are the first to suffer. We want to create conditions for the recovery of the population, starting with the installation of cabins for squirrels in the parks and all the forests surrounding Penza,” the agency interlocutor explained.

Responding to a question about those involved in the planned activities, Igor Pantyushov specified that the group of activists will include the representatives of RGS, the regional department of the Federal service on nature management supervision, as well as students.

“Moreover, [RGS president, Russian Defense Minister] Sergei Shoigu instructed to institute the Russian club for young naturalists. So, the main objective of Penza naturalists will be taking care of squirrels. It is very important to develop children’s respect for the animals,” the chairman of the regional branch of the Russian Geographical Society said.

According to him, currently they consider an option of bringing squirrels from other regions.

“We are negotiating with nurseries at Altai and Kaluga reserves, where they breed squirrels. We hope they can give us a few. So far we are waiting for info on the cost of the animals,” he said.