Writing to your local newspaper

Dear Editor

Grey squirrels are often unfairly blamed for a range of crimes. Because of this they have suffered culls and been easy targets for bloodsports enthusiasts. Now, injured and orphaned squirrels have had their only lifeline removed by the government. Licences to release rescued grey squirrels back into the wild were withdrawn at the end of 2019.  

The truth is, grey squirrels aren’t nearly as responsible for the decline of red squirrels as squirrel culling initiatives would have you believe. Changing climate, changing habits, deforestation, traffic accidents and past culling have all had a significant impact on the red squirrel population. It is wrong to blame this solely on grey squirrels, and to mistreat and kill them as a result.

Yours,

Name, and usually address or general location.

Dear Editor

In December 2019, grey squirrels lost their essential lifeline. The licences rescue centres need in order to release grey squirrels back into the wild have been revoked, forcing rescue centres to make the heart-breaking choice of either euthanising grey squirrels, or keeping them in captivity for the rest of their lives.

Britain is supposed to be a ‘nation of animal lovers’, yet we are expected to turn a blind eye to the suffering of particular wildlife, because of their ‘non-native’ origin. We are forcing wildlife rescuers to prematurely end the lives of healthy animals, or condemn them to life in a cage, which many seem as unethical and unmanageable.

The number of grey squirrels released back into the wild isn’t statistically significant, but the cruelty of being unable to treat them is very significant.

Yours,

Name, and usually address or general location

Dear Editor

I am outraged on behalf of the dedicated wildlife rescuers, who devote so much of their time to the essential job of rehabilitating wildlife. These kind individuals have now been told they risk a fine or arrest if they release grey squirrels back into the wild after treatment.

Only around 700 grey squirrels are released back into the wild after being rescued, and of their estimated 2 million population, this is hardly a significant number. However, this is hugely significant to those individual squirrels and those who rescue them.

The government should not be making things more difficult for wildlife rescuers, and should show some compassion to squirrels, and the humans who look after them.

Yours,

Name, and usually address or general location

Dear Editor

It’s time we put an end to the ridiculous grey squirrel vs red squirrel narrative. Grey squirrels did not ‘invade’ this country, they were brought here by humans. They are not trying to ‘take over’, or ‘drive’ red squirrels away. They have simply been successful in a rapidly changing habitat, where red squirrels sadly have not.

Grey squirrels do not do anything to intentionally harm red squirrels. While their decline is very sad, there are more effective and humane ways of helping red squirrels than killing greys. It’s also worth remembering, red squirrels do exist outside of the UK, and are listed as a species of ‘least concern’ on the IUCN Red List of threatened species.

Yours,

Name, and usually address or general location

Dear Editor

Grey squirrels have been in the UK for 150 years. They were brought here through no fault of their own, and have been successful and managed to thrive in our rapidly changing environment. However, due to their non-native origins, they are persecuted, and it has recently become illegal to rescue and release them.

Many people don’t realise that red squirrels were actually culled in huge numbers, and called ‘tree rats’ and classed as a ‘pest’ much as grey squirrels are today. Just look up the ‘highland squirrel club’ to find out about this historic cull. Now grey squirrels are receiving the same treatment.

I urge people to show these animals compassion, and speak out against the cruelty they are subjected to.

Yours,

Name, and usually address or general location

Good to use during the shooting season, Sept-Feb.

Dear Editor

In December 2019, it was made illegal for wildlife rescuers to release grey squirrels back into the wild after treatment. This leaves wildlife rescuers having to make the devastating choice between euthanising these animals, or keeping them in cages for the rest of their lives.

Only around 700 squirrels are released back into the wild by rescuers each year. When compared to the 50 million non-native ‘game birds’ who are released into the wild each year, this number seems absolutely trivial, even to those who would wrongly insist that grey squirrels have a negative impact on the environment.

These changes to rules on releasing squirrels are unethical and just go to expose the hypocrisy of those who say squirrels need to be killed because of damage to the environment, while turning a blind eye to the profound impact of fellow ‘non-native’ species.

Yours,

Name, and usually address or general location