The Northern Flying Squirrel has been protected under the Endangered Species Act since 1985. The main threat to the animal is loss of habitat (high elevation red spruce forest) through logging and development. As a result of extensive logging there is less red spruce forest in West Virginia today than there was before the timber boom around the turn of the last century. However, at higher elevations there is a resurgence of red spruce forest, although it will take many years before this forest will be mature enough to afford the squirrel a suitable habitat. Most of the locations of the Northern Flying Squirrel are within the protected Monongahela National Forest and are found in areas above 2860 feet (872 meters). Their numbers have increased from 10 recorded in 1985 to 779 in 1996. Visit www.wvdnr.gov for more information.