NEWPORT BEACH : Squirrel Rescuers Plan to Keep Working
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Despite a Christmas Day deadline, the squirrel rescue operation started last week by Costa Mesa environmentalist David Prather will continue through New Year’s weekend.
Prather said Thursday that he and more than 40 volunteers have caged and released about 100 squirrels in the last six days. The burrowing animals are being saved from bulldozing equipment that is grading over their habitat on a Newport Beach bluff top to make way for 119 luxury homes.
Taylor Woodrow Homes California Ltd., the developer, had agreed to let Prather and his volunteers relocate the animals through last Monday. But so far, the developers have not asked the group to leave, allowing them to continue the tedious trapping operation.
State Department of Fish and Game officials also had given the group only 24 hours of trap and release privileges Dec. 21, but Prather said state officials too have let them continue.
Officials from Taylor Woodrow and the Department of Fish and Game did not return phone calls Thursday.
Prather said he plans to continue working through this weekend and welcomes volunteers who can bring their own traps. Information: (714) 645-9829.
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