European ground squirrel (Spermophilus citellus)

Mohamed bin Zayed Species project number 220528570

European ground squirrel in Ukraine: status and conservation efforts

The grant was focused around the last survivng colonies of European ground squirrel (EGS) in Ukraine. We carried extensive surveys in Chernivtsi and Vinnytsia Regions of Ukraine and recorded 14 colonies of EGS in Chernivtsi and 5 in Vinnytsia.

The population census was performed as a count of active burrows. In total we counted 1642 active burrows in all colonies. Which is around 500 mature individuals. The results of survey available at GBIF as a separate dataset: https://doi.org/10.15468/9fdw4w

Few information signs regarding the presence of EGS was installed, and one observation tower raised.

We have recorded that one of the largset colonies near the Bernovo village was partially destroyed by local farmers. Unfortunately, the police, local 'conservationists' all were unimpressed with this and did not show any interest in conservation of EGS.

We prepared documents for all the colonies to declare them as protected areas. So far only two applications were approved in Vinnytsia Region.