AZ: $1.25M Spent On Squirrels June 19, 2010

Arizona is spending $1.25 million on the Mt. Graham Red Squirrel Recovery Program so they don't become roadkill and then monitor their health. The money is being spent, officials said, because cars kill about five of these squirrels each year. Assuming the bridges work and no squirrels die, over 100 squirrels could be saved throughout the 20 to 25 year lifespan of the bridges. Arizona Department of Transportation Community Relations Director Timothy Tait (602-712-7070) supports this project. Tait said, "It's a pretty specialized item. They are made of military grade nylon. They're fire retardant and will be dyed a green color to fit in with the environment." Graham County Supervisor Mark Herrington thinks that the money could be better spent elsewhere.  "I don't think it's the smartest allocation of resources," he said. "With all the problems were facing today, with the economy the way it is…that's a huge expense and how do you guarantee that the squirrels are going to cross the bridge?"  Read the full story at ABC.  Don't Shoot The Squirrels.  Who supports this decision to spend $1.25M on 250 squirrels?  Who thinks the squirrels will understand how to use these bridges?