A great little treasure of nature has been spotted in the pine forest of Marina di Sibari: it is the black squirrel (Sciurus meridionalis), a rare and endemic species of Southern Italy recognized only recently as a native species of Calabria and Basilicata.
A significant discovery from a naturalistic point of view, which confirms the great environmental value of the Marina and Sibari area (contiguous to the Sic Area “Casoni di Sibari” – Natura 2000 Site) in general and the need to protect with ever greater attention the faunal and landscape heritage of the Sibaritide territory.
The emotion of Doctor Goliath
“I am really excited by the incredible encounter I had today in the pine forest of Marina di Sibari – commented the Naturalist Dr. Salvatore Golia – after years of not seeing one, today I was lucky enough to see a black squirrel (Sciurus meridionalis) again. It is always a unique emotion, as it is one of the rarest animals in Europe as it lives almost exclusively between Calabria and Basilicata. Seeing it again made me reflect on how precious our animals are ecosystems. What else to add? Let’s conserve what we have and, above all, what we love.” The sighting is also an invitation to rediscover, respect and safeguard the natural treasures that surround the Sic area – a site of community interest – of Sibari”.