26/02/2009
Political Squirrels
By Nathan Toohey
Three squirrels, residents of the Kuzminki Park in the southeast of the city, are soon to be issued passports.
The squirrels, favourites with the locals who named them "Obama", Chubais", and "Kuzminichna", are to receive the documents soon, RIA Novosti reported a representative from the Kuzminki ecological educational centre as saying. Obama the squirrel was so named due to his uncharacteristic long-tufted black ears, Chubais the squirrel received his name due to his "bright, bright red ears". Kuzminichna, the sole doe in the enclosure, was named after the park where she was born and has lived many years.
"Of course, the squirrels won't receive the passports in the ‘paw' as it was, they will be hung on the wall of the enclosure," said the Kuzminki ecological educational representative. The documents will indicate the squirrels' weight, age, body and tail length, distinctive markings and an identification number with photograph. There will also be a description listing their temperament and favourite treats, said the representative.
All three squirrels have been living together quite a long time and regularly produce litters of baby squirrels and are true favourites among young and old alike, said the representative.
A new batch of babies is due to appear in the near future and the squirrel keepers have requested that visitors donate warm woollen items. The squirrels will use them to insulate their nests and keep their offspring warm.
