Good news for the Delmarva Peninsula fox squirrel as the small, furry animals will now be removed from the Endangered Species List in the next month according to an announcement issued by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

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This has been a move where many environmentalists hope to see one day, as this squirrel is one of the 78 species that was listed in the first original list known as the Endangered Species Preservation Act of 1967 which is a forerunner of the current Endangered Species Act which was passed in 1973.

The Delmarva fox squirrel is larger than most, as it is measured some 15 inches in body length without the tail. Also, these squirrels are rather elusive as they are not seen in most urban and suburban environments like typical squirrels, but instead, they prefer rural, forest lands and agricultural environments.

The critters once thrived in Delmarva or in the Delaware, Maryland and Virginia Peninsula with a healthy population. However, during the middle of the 20th century, due to industrialization and forest clearing for timber needed for agriculture and development and even hunting, the animals almost completely disappeared. 

Now, scientists reveal how squirrel population numbers are so robust that they are no longer considered at risk of extinction. The FWS also says that the squirrels' habitat also increased its range after being on the list, from four to ten counties. Scientists now estimate their population have reached 20,000 where they are now dwelling in 30 percent of the peninsula's area, setting up primarily in Maryland. 

Local officials say that the Endangered Species Act greatly helped place the Delmarva fox squirrel back in the forests. According to Deputy Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks of the U.S. Department of the Interior, Michael Bean, this Act not only helps state and private landowners to build flexible partnerships with incentives but most importantly, together, the communities and the animal species can recover with the support of local economic activity.

To see the triumphant Delmarva fox squirrels, they are found in national wildlife refuges in Blackwater, Maryland, Chincoteague in Virginia and Prime Hook of Delaware.

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