In a turn of events that has caught wildlife biologists by surprise, the Mount Graham red squirrel population has increased to 233 individuals, up from 144 in 2023. This rare subspecies, found exclusively in Arizona’s Pinaleño Mountains, has shown resilience despite facing multiple environmental challenges. “We all knew that we were seeing a lot of squirrels and middens during this last survey, but I don’t think any of us expected such a dramatic increase,” said Holly Hicks, Arizona Game and Fish Department’s small mammal project coordinator. The annual interagency population survey, conducted through a collaborative effort between the Arizona Game … Continue reading Mount Graham Red Squirrel Population Climbs to 233, Up from 144 in 2023 and Recovering After 2017 Fire Impact