In March, the Ministry of Defense announced plans to build the base as a permanent location for Poland’s land forces helicopter units.

Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz described the initiative at the time as being a strategic move aimed at strengthening Poland’s defense capabilities along its eastern borders.

He said: “It is a symbolic moment, but it is also a strategic moment—the selection of an airport that will constitute a space and place to take care of the security of our homeland. Land Forces helicopters, which we are modernizing, will be permanently stationed here.”

In addition to enhancing national security, the permanent base was also expected to bring about economic benefits to the region.

However, officials have now discovered over 200 of the rodents, a protected species in Poland, inhabiting a grassy area of the airport where the base was to be built, forcing the Ministry of Defense to find a new location.

Private broadcaster Polsat News said: “Due to the colony of speckled ground squirrels and the fact that it is an area protected by Natura 2000 [a network of nature protection areas in the territory of the EU], the construction of the aforementioned base is to be postponed.

“The investment is to be built in a forest area located north of the airport.”

Speckled ground squirrels resemble a typical squirrel in size and shape, although they differ in fur color, have smaller ears, and a much shorter tail.

An endemic species in Eastern Europe, it is commonly found in Russia, Ukraine, Moldova, and to a lesser extent in Belarus and southeastern Poland.