Eastern grey squirrels can also cause significant damage to gardens and crops, including apples, strawberries, corn, and flower bulbs. “The grey squirrel is a significant threat to the biodiversity not only in this country but also in those other countries where it is an invasive alien species such as Italy and Ireland. So killing grey squirrels is not necessarily money well spent. Western Gray Squirrels were once the most common squirrel species in the Portland area but have now almost completely disappeared due to development and competition from non-native species. : When Invasive Species Pose an Environmental Threat. of grey squirrel was essential to the delivery of the various WfW policies. Read more: In defence of the grey squirrel, … Cuddly Squirrel or Gray Menace? of grey squirrel was essential to the delivery of the various WfW policies. sought views on a draft grey squirrel management action plan for Wales. The grey squirrel is one example among many of non-native species thriving in the UK (see table below). In the WfW strategy, Welsh Government made a commitment to develop a strategic and targeted approach to help tackle threats from non-native invasive species, including grey squirrel. There are also glaring contradictions in what is considered invasive and what needs to be controlled. In the WfW strategy, Welsh Government made a commitment to develop a strategic and targeted approach to help tackle threats from non-native invasive species, including grey squirrel. This Grey Squirrel Management Action Plan aims to meet this commitment. The lionfish invasion highlights the complexity of managing introduced species in the marine environment. If squirrels are seen in your trees, some kind of preventive action should be taken; squirrels can strip a tree of its crop in a short time. Impacts and Management of the Alien Eastern Gray Squirrel in Great Britain and Italy: Lessons for British Columbia Corrie Bruemmer 1 NPI Red Alert NW, Cumbria Wildlife Trust, Brockhole, Windermere, Cumbria LA23 1LJ, United Kingdom ABSTRACT Introduced species are a most serious threat to biodiversity, second only to habitat degradation. Governments need to take firm action to control existing populations and prevent further spread and introduction,” he added. The grey squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) is native to deciduous forests in the USA and has been introduced to the UK, Ireland, Italy and South Africa.In the introduced range grey squirrels damage trees by eating the bark and in Europe they cause the local extinction of red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) populations through competition and disease. Lionfish now join the ranks of other aquatic invasive species that have taken up permanent residence in U.S. waters, such as European green crabs, snakeheads, and zebra mussels. ENDS The Wildlife and Countryside Link (WCL), a coalition of 12 conservation charities, is calling for government action as the costs necessary to manage such non-native species are likely to soar as the UK leaves the European Union. Why is it acceptable for animal shelters to rescue an invasive alien species, the domestic cat, and for the public to allow them to roam free, but unacceptable for wildlife rescue centres to help and release a few grey squirrels? Under Section 14 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981) it is illegal to release Scientists find themselves choosing between animals as explosions of some populations endanger others But that cost also includes money spent on controlling grey squirrels, and there is no link between how much is spent on controlling their numbers and reducing damage to trees. This Grey Squirrel Management Action Plan aims to meet this commitment. Today our two most common urban squirrels, the Fox and Eastern Gray, are non-native, invasive … Grey squirrel are a significant and widely spread invasive non-native species (INNS) in Wales, adversely affecting red squirrel populations, and woodlands and their associated benefits.