The flying squirrel situation in the felling areas of the city of Äänekoski was clarified in the spring: according to ELY, it was found that there was no breeding or resting place for the flying squirrel in the area
According to information received from the media, the Keskinen Suomen liito-oravayhdistys ry has filed a criminal complaint about logging by a forest company in Äänekoski. The police have launched a preliminary investigation to find out if Stora Enso cut down the forest in the flying squirrel nesting area. The logging area is owned by the city of Äänekoski.
The city of Äänekoski did several terrain inspections in the Sikopuro area in Suolahti in the spring of 2024 before logging, and no signs of flying squirrels were found. After the felling, the ELY Center of Central Finland conducted field inspections in the summer of 2024 and according to them, it was found that there was no breeding and resting place for flying squirrels in the area, so the Nature Conservation Act was not violated.
- According to ELY and the city's understanding, no flying squirrels were found in the area, and the nature conservation law has not been violated. The city of Äänekoski is a responsible operator and complies with the law in all its activities, including the Nature Conservation Act, city manager Matti Tuononen says.
The police have not been in contact with the city so far. We will provide more information on the matter depending on the progress of the preliminary investigation or if the city receives other additional information on the matter.
More information:
Land use manager Juha Koskinen, 0400 641 829, juha.koskinen@aanekoski.fi
City manager Matti Tuononen, 040 572 3239, matti.tuononen@aanekoski.fi
News published, modified 4.9.2024 at 15:03