Facts about the Dangers of Culling Grey Squirrels
http://www.grey-squirrel.org.uk/dangers.php
Culling us isn't a simple solution to any problems we cause, nor any
problems we are falsely accused of causing. While it seems obvious
that killing us would solve any problems permanently, the fact that
there are so many of us makes this not necessarily the case.
Key points at a glance
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
When you cull fairly large numbers of us, yet the resources of food we
rely on are unchanged, those of us left will have more food to go
around. In turn, this means that we will breed much more efficiently,
and the survival rate of young will be greater. This can lead to the
population density actually increasing in a fairly short timescale,
and any problems we previously caused will be worse because there will
be a large number of highly active juveniles quickly appearing.
Not only that, but other grey squirrels from neighbouring areas will
move into the void created by the culling activities. Combined with
increased breeding performance from those missed by the culling, this
can create a very significant increase in population density, and all
the problems over-population can cause. This will eventually come back
in to equilibrium, but the problems caused can be very long lasting.
Squirrels filling voids from neighbouring areas don't just cause
tem****ary over-population. Supposing grey squirrels are killed to
protect a red squirrel population in a given area, and this culling
causes an influx of grey squirrels from neighbouring areas, this could
actually increase the spread of squirrelpox into the area the culling
takes place, and quite possibly accelerate the decline of the reds in
the area.
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