The West Virginia northern flying squirrel is leaving the federal endangered species list.

Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne announced Monday the squirrels have recovered from the brink of extinction, while conservation efforts have helped their habitat regenerate.

Once known as the Virginia northern flying squirrel, the animal depends upon the forest ecosystem in the Allegheny highlands of West Virginia and Virginia.

The species was first listed as endangered in 1985, when only ten squirrels were located in four areas.

Human disturbance and competition with the more common southern flying squirrel threatened their existence.

The final rule announcing the delisting will be published Tuesday in the Federal Register and take effect in 30 days.