Jersey Charity Rescues 35 Squirrels This Year as They Prepare for Hibernation

As of October 10th, 2025, a Jersey-based animal charity has issued a warning to local drivers to exercise extra caution on the roads, as squirrels are actively gathering nuts and seeds close to the ground in preparation for the upcoming hibernation season.

The Jersey Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (JSPCA) has reported rescuing 35 red squirrels so far this year. Some of these squirrels were found injured in road traffic accidents, while others had fallen from their nests. The charity has been working to rehabilitate the rescued squirrels, with the goal of eventually releasing them back into the wild once they have regained their strength and developed the necessary survival skills.

To help supplement the squirrels' food supply ahead of the winter months, the JSPCA has advised members of the public to leave out nuts and seeds in extra tall feeders in their gardens. This, the charity hopes, will provide the squirrels with a reliable source of sustenance as they work to build up their fat reserves for the hibernation period.

Razina Bargit, a spokesperson for the JSPCA, has described the past summer as "a really busy" time for the charity, with squirrels and their young often falling from nests due to the "incredibly hot" weather and "incredibly windy" conditions. The charity has been working tirelessly to care for the injured and displaced squirrels, ensuring they receive the necessary veterinary attention and are given the opportunity to regain their strength and skills before being released back into the wild.