Relocating trapped squirrels back into the wild

Even though squirrels are considered Denver pests, most people prefer to relocate squirrels once they have trapped them. Relocating these creatures back into the wild can be a worthwhile and fulfilling endeavor but there are certain questions you should ask. How do I find a legal Colorado drop site? Where should I take them? What type of release area should I look for? How do I make the relocation easier for the squirrels? How far do I need to go to assure they stay gone? Here are some answers to help your catch & release program be a success. All Denver animals are in danger when being released into an unfamiliar environment. Squirrels are no different. They don’t know the lay of the land. This makes it hard to find food and water. They don’t know the local predators. They don’t have a home or shelter yet. And they don’t know if the other squirrels are friendly or territorial.



To improve your squirrels chances of survival here are a few tips
Try to release more than one Colorado squirrel at a time. Lone squirrels have a harder time surviving. Investigate the site. Ask local authorities or the land owner if you are allowed to relocate animals there. Are there plenty of fruit, seed, or nut bearing plants and trees? Look for sources of water. Does it have good thick underbrush to hide in? Is it too close to a populated area? If it is there might be predatory cats and dogs. Human neighborhoods will also be a great temptation for your squirrels. Do you see other squirrels and wild life in the area? Look for an area where the tree branches overlap each other so the squirrels have plenty of space to move through the trees. Pick a release time that is in keeping with the Denver squirrel’s schedule. This is early morning for tree squirrels. They will be most active then and want to explore their new Colorado area.

Pick a good weather day. The nicer the weather, the more the Denver squirrels will want to check out their new surroundings. Remember that squirrels spend good weather stockpiling about three years worth of food each spring and summer. Your relocated squirrels don’t have that stockpile if you transplant them late in the year. It is a good idea to leave some supplemental food like corn or sunflower seeds. If possible move a nest box with them. Placing them with a nest box in a Colorado tree gives squirrels a head start.

Studies show that a squirrel can find its way back to a former nesting ground from as far away as 15 miles. If you choose a good Colorado relocation spot where your squirrels can be happy and thrive they are less likely to return.

To learn more about our services, visit the Denver wildlife removal home page.