Get rid of those fuzzy-tailed rats
Times Colonist
August 19, 2005

The SPCA admits to being irresponsible, misguided and acting illegally, in their response to the burgeoning grey squirrel population. These non-indigenous rodents were introduced to the Victoria area about 25 years ago by a fool who thought that their simply being "cute" justified his actions.

The trouble is, these animals are doing far too well. They are extremely invasive, have too few predators and present a direct threat to other indigenous species. The smaller, indigenous red squirrels continue to lose ground to them. Some people think grey squirrels only gather acorns. Their nest-raiding habits are a serious threat to songbird species, not to mention taking over the nesting sites after they have forced the birds out.

For the SPCA, or anyone else, to do anything to encourage their well-being and population growth, is precisely equivalent to promoting the spread of Scotch broom, zebra mussels, bull frogs, starlings or milfoil.

Big brown eyes aside, these are fuzzy-tailed rats and are appropriate for a rat-style control program, not nurturing.

If the SPCA's Wild Arc has lost its moral fortitude and professionalism and developed clouded thinking on this question, then it should probably have its permit and any public funding withdrawn and be subject to other enforcement procedures.

Victoria's pest control companies, who routinely live-trap grey squirrels then release them into our parks and rural areas, should be next on the enforcement list. This "limo service" treatment is one of the main reasons for the squirrels spreading so far, so fast.

Humane euthanasia is the only responsible choice. Sorry, but "cute" is simply not the issue here.

N. "Sandy" Sandford, Victoria.