With the help of the donated money ELF will continue its research on this species particularly in forest near to areas where the species is already known.
Right now there are 80 known sites for flying squirrels that have been found. In recent decades intensive woodcutting has decreased the number of old forests and particulary old hollow aspen forests that are suitable for flying squirrels and research is needed to protect these rare animals.
As flying squirrels are so secretive, their nesting trees and habitats can be damaged by woodcutter out of ignorance. Research helps foresters to avoid accidental killing of animals or damage of habitats as areas can be left out from woodcutting plans. Giving protective status to these areas will secure the right type of forest for flying squirrels.
Discovering what flying squirrels, which are nocturnal, are doing requires using various technical tools. It is necessary to obtain a fibre-optic endoscope in order to observe what is going on in the hollow nest of squirrels. Radio receivers and night watching instruments are needed to observe animals at night.
Observing flying squirrels tagged with radio transmitters requires radio receivers and aerials that can be safely used.
Field work is done by biology graduate students of Tartu University and naturalists coordinated by Uudo Timm.
The flying squirrel is a bit smaller than the ordinary squirrel and unlike other squirrels is nocturnal. It has received its name from hairy folds of skin between its fore and hind legs which help it to make jumps up to 35 metres from one tree to another. The flying squirrel is the pride of Estonian forests - in Europe they can only be found in Estonia and Finland.
Flying squirrel is one of the most endangered species of mammals in Estonia, only 80 places of finding of the flying squirrels are known currently. In order to protect, you have to know. Due to its hidden lifestyle and rarity, the organisation of successful protection of flying squirrel is labour-intensive and time-consuming. The hitherto state protection arrangement is mainly based on the information gathered in the course of the ELF project.
With the help of the donations, we can conduct:
radiotelemetric studies in order to determine the habitats and movements of flying squirrels. In 2009 we have to acquire at least one new radio receiver (together with the required antenna), which price is about 30 000 kroons, and 10 transmitters (3000 kroons each);
inventory check of the habitants of flying squirrels. Flying squirrels usually live in old mixed woods where there are hollow aspens over 75 years old. As a part of the nesting trees is destroyed each year due to storms and cuttings, flying squirrels try to find new netting trees in their neighbourhood.
The ELF has performed an inventory check of the forests suitable for the flying squirrels in order to save them from cutting. Money is required in order to engage additional workforce for conducting such labour-intensive inventory checks;
studies of habitat demands of flying squirrels. Flying squirrels do not inhabit all kinds of aspen woods. For knowing the surroundings of nesting hollows and nesting trees, a detailed description of both the hollows as well as of the surrounding wood must be given. To check what is going on inside the hollows, an endoscope with a fiberoptic probe is required (about 60 000 kroons).
The Estonian Fund for Nature (Eestimaa Looduse Fond) was established in 1991 by 40 people and scientists interested in nature protection.
Attention: You can deduct the donation made to this project as a private individual from the income. For this purpose, please indicate your personal identification code in the payment details of the payment order.
are needed to observe animals at night. 
