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RSPCA SEES RED OVER GREY SQUIRREL CULL

Telling tails

Thursday April 17,2008

By Polly Buchanan

Comment Speech Bubble Have your say(8)

A CULL of grey squirrels to save Britain’s native species has been condemned by the RSPCA.

It claims the cull will do nothing to help save the dwindling red squirrel.

The scheme has been rolled out across Northumberland to slaughter the North American grey.

Red squirrels – the inspiration behind Beatrix Potter’s Squirrel Nutkin – have declined dramatically to around 25,000 in England, while the grey squirrels now number between three and five million.

In a bid to save the reds from extinction, the Red Squirrel Protection Partnership launched the cull in Northumberland, where it says it has trapped or shot 15,000 greys so far.

However, the RSPCA claims the cull will not protect the reds.

It’s ethically dubious killing one species for the sake of another

Rob Atkinson

Its head of wildlife science, Rob Atkinson, said: “It’s ethically dubious killing one species for the sake of another. There’s absolutely no point in doing it.”

Chief trapper for the Red Squirrel Protection Partnership Paul Parker said the group aims to erase grey squirrels from Northumberland by next year.

He said: “It has never been done before on such a big scale and we are finding the system does work.

“The problem is man-made and it should be up to us to rectify it. All we need to keep going is funding.”

The partnership, the only Government-funded cull, has received £150,000 in grants over three years.

Grey squirrels, classed as vermin, were introduced to Britain in the 19th century. Immune to the squirrel-pox they carry, they are hardier than their red cousins, and can feed more efficiently in broad-leaved woodland.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said red squirrel numbers this summer would help measure the cull’s success.

WHY CULLING DOESNT WORK - IMMUNITY ... GIVE NATURE A CHANCE.

20.10.08, 4:09pm

The moment you stop culling they will come back with vengeance so let nature take its course and heed the RSCPCAs view on controlling habitat rather than culling.

Why culling wont work long term:

1. Culling can cause more problems than it solves
2. Reduced numbers allows for improved resources and more efficient breeding
3. Neighbouring populations move in to fill the void
4. Squirrel movement can increase spread of SQPV

"While we get on very well with humans, and have been very well able to adapt to the changes you have brought about in the UK, our poor friends the red squirrels have been less fortunate. Conservation groups are very keen to encourage the planting of "native" deciduous trees which just happen to be the kind of habitat we love to live in. In doing so, the many conifer woodlands once all over the UK have been decimated, and the Red Squirrels have been the unfortunate victims.Greys are also blamed for the poxvirus which is currently spreading through the Red Squirrel population. Having done extensive research, we have found that this virus also affected our population many generations ago, but those of us who survived developed antibodies which protect us. The Red Squirrels are in a similar position now, and provided humans give them a chance by not removing their habitat, a good percentage might well survive and be immune. This is the way that nature works!"

• Posted by: Johnomills • Report Comment

MICKLE

17.04.08, 2:11pm

thanks for the advice,
i will look online about them.
dont know about eating them though!!

• Posted by: hotlips2 • Report Comment

HOTLIPS2

17.04.08, 1:57pm

Grey Squirrel Problem

The MK 4 Fenn trap is available from most farmers marts and can be purchased on-line, The trap is perfectly legal to use for Vermin control, being of the break-back type death is pretty swift for the little buggers,

Set inside a baited container that allows access for the rodents its deadly,
Birds do not like entering enclosed containers close to the ground, so you are pretty safe in that respect, plus the trap itself has a very strong spring action and the trigger plate setting can be adjusted to allow small creatures safe passage.
Bait the container with the trap set but with the safety latch engaged, after a few days of them getting use to the free food and metal trap,set the trigger plate and remove the safety latch.
Problem solved
Recipes for the juicy little morsels can be obtained from the web.
and the Tails will be greatly appreciated by the fly tying public

Your birds their eggs and offspring will greatly appreciate your efforts.

• Posted by: Mickle • Report Comment

THEY TASTE PRETTY GOOD!

17.04.08, 1:56pm

We have an air rifle, and have potted many squirrels, with one purpose--to eat them! Naturally-raised squirrel IS delicious!

In the US, like deer and pheasant, the indigenous greys have their own open season. You can shoot a certain number, and they are darned good eating, especially when the little blighter are fed on hulled sunflower seeds, peanut and fat-balls from the bird-feeders! It seems such a terrible waste to just kill them. The meat tastes (and looks) like a cross between pheasant and chicken. I have a special chili I make from the meat, and have called it "Squilli". Do you think Waitrose would be interested?

• Posted by: NoisySiamese • Report Comment

FLYING TREE RATS!!

17.04.08, 1:16pm

they are nothing but vermin and definatly need culling.
there is nothing cute about these pests.
they pince all the bird food in my garden!
i have to send the dog out to chase them away.
i think i will have to ivest in one of those traps that mickle mentioned.

• Posted by: hotlips2 • Report Comment

DEFINITELY!

17.04.08, 9:10am

This has to be a good idea. There are some human beings near my field who get right up my nose, with the noise they make, their disgusting children, their filthy habits, their know-it-all destruction of the environment, etc. I am a native to these parts and these beings are taking over the place and making it difficult for me to live in peace. If the people who are exterminating the squirrels could come down here and exterminate these invasive, useless creatures it would be a very good idea, it seems to me. Then the world would only be populated by donkeys and other fun-loving creatures.

• Posted by: wiggywig • Report Comment