Randy Squirrels Protected

Illawarra Mercury

Thursday March 4, 2004

A BRIDGE has been opened in England to help ``courting" red squirrels cross the road safely.

The Highways Agency has erected the rope bridge to stop the endangered animals being killed when they become ``preoccupied" during their breeding season.

The bridge has been built over a busy road near one of the few remaining habitats of the red squirrel in Formby, Merseyside.

A spokesperson for the Highways Agency said: ``Squirrels have great agility when leaping between tree branches but on the ground they run and leap in short bursts, pausing frequently to take stock, which leaves them vulnerable when crossing the road."