SUMMIT — Many people don’t know that Wisconsin is home to the nocturnal southern flying squirrel, but soon they will get to learn a lot more about them — as well as get to meet them — through the Wildlife In Need Center’s animal ambassador program.
Both flying squirrels were brought to WINC in Summit as orphans, although separately. The female was brought to the center in early spring, more than a month before any other orphaned flying squirrels were brought to WINC, or other wildlife center in this area of the state. According to a press release, flying squirrels are social animals and they should be raised along others of their kind; however, WINC was unable to locate any others at the time. As a result, she did not develop appropriate wild behaviors and could not be released into the wild.
In the fall, a single young male flyer was brought in. “He was found as an infant, but unfortunately, he was kept for a prolonged period of time by those that found him. While they had the best intentions, when he arrived, he had nutritional issues and was already irreversibly habituated to humans, leading him to be non-releasable as well,” according to the release.
The two flyers were introduced and are living in the same space together. The female flying squirrel has been named Acorn after her love of the native nut. A name is still being sought for the male and WINC is holding a contest to pick the right name. The three choices are Aspen, Oak or Maple.
Each dollar donated equals one vote. The money raised will build them a spacious and large enclosure that will be seen in WINC’s gathering room. To make a donation and vote for a name, go to https://bit.ly/49xNHCr.
The flying squirrels join Willow the woodchuck, Lenny the opossum, Chase the skunk and others.