Controlling the grey squirrel..

[Mags]

One thing is for sure, it's a big problem...

Could contraception be the answer?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/7026097.stm

[Grete]

I honestly don't know but I hate that they are trapped and killed. There has to be some way to control their reproduction rate and let them live their lives.

I feel the same way about pigeons.

[charliebubs]

I agree Grete - there has to be a more humane way. :(

I saw a pigeon get hit by a car this morning and it really upset me. I know it's just a pigeon and there are millions of them - but I hate the thought that anything gets killed :cry:

[dandysmom]

Fascinating article, Mags, thanks so much for posting it! I had no idea they were carriers of the squirrel pox...another thing to dislike about them! Most of you know my opinion of the tree rats, so all I can say is good luck in at least limiting the population! You'll never be rid of them!!! :(

[Grete]

I agree Grete - there has to be a more humane way. :(

I saw a pigeon get hit by a car this morning and it really upset me. I know it's just a pigeon and there are millions of them - but I hate the thought that anything gets killed :cry:

Yeh I'm the same, I cry if I see anything get run over and I live in dread of running anything over. I will sit there in the car waiting for a bird to move out of the road, even with people honking their horns at me.

Most of the pest problems like pigeons and squirrels are ultimately caused by us - changing their environments to suit ourselves or removing their natural predators.

I just can't think of anything living as something to just throw away without a second thought.

[borderdawn]

Well I welcome the day the whole flippin lot are gone, same goes for Wood Pigeons! They are a HUGE problem, they spread disease and kill native species. I have no problem shooting both species at every given opportunity, and if one day that goes towards a Grey Squirrel free UK, I will be delighted!

[Grete]

Have to agree to disagree on that one :) I don't think we have the right to eradicate an entire species when we created the problem in the first place.

I think contraception is the answer and while it will take a long time before it has enough of an impact, it's better than outright slaughter and cruelty.

[borderdawn]

Have to agree to disagree on that one :) I don't think we have the right to eradicate an entire species when we created the problem in the first place.

I think contraception is the answer and while it will take a long time before it has enough of an impact, it's better than outright slaughter and cruelty.
I think we have the right to eradicate any non native species that are killing our own native species with such ferocity that in a few years they will be extinct!

I appreciate your feelings grete and respect your opinion. :)

[Fran]

Well I welcome the day the whole flippin lot are gone, same goes for Wood Pigeons! They are a HUGE problem, they spread disease and kill native species. I have no problem shooting both species at every given opportunity, and if one day that goes towards a Grey Squirrel free UK, I will be delighted!


Not often that we agree Dawn ;) but I have to say I am 100% in agreement with you on this one!

[dandysmom]

I hate to sound like Animal Farm, but some animals are more equal than others! Who would object if a lethal virus could be found that would affect only rats? They destroy an enormous amount of crops, spread disease, bite children and animals, and as far as I can see are only useful as prey for very few other animals. Would it really upset the ecological balance if all rats could be eradicated? I'd welcome comments.......

[Grete]

I hate to sound like Animal Farm, but some animals are more equal than others! Who would object if a lethal virus could be found that would affect only rats? They destroy an enormous amount of crops, spread disease, bite children and animals, and as far as I can see are only useful as prey for very few other animals. Would it really upset the ecological balance if all rats could be eradicated? I'd welcome comments.......

It probably would somewhere down the line.

It's not about eradication IMO, it's about control and avoiding cruelty where possible. Ok if it gets to the point where they have to be thinned out then we should find a way to do it that won't let them suffer.

Look at a topic closer to home, colonies of feral cats. They are a nuisance to some people, they spread disease and injuries amongst the domesticated cat population etc and some people hate them. Does that mean they should just be terminated without a second thought by whatever means necessary?

I know some people can pick and choose where they draw the line to what they feel is acceptable cruelty but I just can't :(

[dandysmom]

Good points, Grete! I also abhor cruelty to any living thing, even vermin. And as to feral cats, I have contributed for years to Alley Cat Allies, a trap/neuter/spay organization for feral cats that does a fantastic job! But, sorry, I can't workup any sympathy for rats; guess we'll have to agree to disagree here. But appreciate your comments! (((hugs))) to you and a cuddle to Bubbles...

[borderdawn]

Feral cats are controlled and removed in many places The diseases they spread are completely avoidable in our pets, so I dont think its a valid comparison. The Grey Squirrel is immune to a disease it spreads, it then passes the disease onto our native Reds which kills them.

[Grete]

I know BD, it was just a comparison that one is something you care about and the other isn't but to me it's no different.

There are Humane ways to do it and should be used and neither should an entire species be eradicated.

I know I am over sensitive about animals and cruelty to any of them, no matter if they are pets or not, just gets me very emotional.

This is just my stance on it and I was attempting to explain why :)

[borderdawn]

I know BD, it was just a comparison that one is something you care about and the other isn't but to me it's no different.

There are Humane ways to do it and should be used and neither should an entire species be eradicated.

I know I am over sensitive about animals and cruelty to any of them, no matter if they are pets or not, just gets me very emotional.

This is just my stance on it and I was attempting to explain why :)
I understand grete, we all have our different stances on things, would be really boring otherwise.:D

[Grete]

It really would ;)

*hugs*