Baby squirrel

Bless him. Is there squirrel pox in your area? That is lethal to red squirrels, and is spread by greys.

If not, I think you did your best for him, and I think an animal rescue centre telling you to examine your morals was a bit off. Rescuing animals is their actual reason for existence!

How is he today? Well done for trying x

I do not think he was ill - he was bright as a button the day before, but just lost his mum. I think he died of dehydration.

He is of course dead this morning.

While I very much appreciate your humanitarian desire to help a sick animal, if it was a grey squirrel I find it hard to mourn it. Grey squirrels, a Victorian import, have seriously depleted our native red squirrel population.

That's a sad story Luckygirl but you did your best for him

I think calling it a moral issue for you to decide what to do was harsh and not at all helpful

Life in the wild is tough and I think putting him somewhere where he can help another creature is a good idea

MaizieD

While I very much appreciate your humanitarian desire to help a sick animal, if it was a grey squirrel I find it hard to mourn it. Grey squirrels, a Victorian import, have seriously depleted our native red squirrel population.

I am intrigued by this issue of which species we favour and which we are happy to see die. Who decides?

Luckygirl3: You certainly did your best. You couldn't have done anything more. Whether it's an 'imported' animal or not it is - in my view - a creature that is a living being and I think you did well.

This reminds me of a few years ago whilst staying in a cottage in North Yorkshire. We had gone for a walk and came across a ewe bleating across at her lamb who had fallen into a ditch (too deep for us to reach). I ran crying to the nearest farm - no reply, then came across another farmer who just said 'It's nature' and didn't help. Eventually we contacted the owner of the cottage we were staying in and she said she would phone a couple of farmers. I was broken hearted. Never found out what happened 😢

Yes, if it was grey squirrel I might feel a bit sad but really they are a pest.

We've found dead rats in the garden before now, someone round here must put out poison and we have thought "One less" and disposed of it, no qualms.

However, even grey squirrels look cute and appealing but they are a menace, carrying pox and they will eat birds' eggs, chicks and fledglings.

Luckygirl3

MaizieD

While I very much appreciate your humanitarian desire to help a sick animal, if it was a grey squirrel I find it hard to mourn it. Grey squirrels, a Victorian import, have seriously depleted our native red squirrel population.

I am intrigued by this issue of which species we favour and which we are happy to see die. Who decides?

Animals and plants that have been imported have become prolific and can destroy our native flora and fauna.

The same with other countries too eg rabbits and cane toads in Australia, both imports which have become menaces.

I think my feelings about grey squirrels became less forgiving because, when we moved to Durham, 40 years ago, we lived in a rural area with woodlands behind us which were full of red squirrels. We used to see them all the time. Grey squirrels appeared after a few years and wiped out the reds. Which saddens me.

However, even grey squirrels look cute and appealing but they are a menace, carrying pox and they will eat birds' eggs, chicks
But that is how life on this planet works. Kill or be killed. Who are we to say that the eggs or chicks are more important than the squirrel?
I find this conundrum fascinating. We make these god-like value judgements about nature all the time, but do we have the right to do it and what are they based on?
Personally, had I been a supreme being (if such there be) creating infinite universes I think I would not have gone for kill or be killed as the principle. And I would certainly not have dreamt up menstruation.... but that's another story ....!

MaizieD red squirrels have been reintroduced into Essex, they are thriving and growing in numbers.

We have squirrels in our garden, thought they would have relocated when we had two extremely large trees taken down in 2024, but they are still here and breeding.

Haven’t fed the birds over this winter, and quite unexpectedly we have more birds and different varieties than we have seen in the last 38 years 🤷‍♀️

Luckygirl3

*However, even grey squirrels look cute and appealing but they are a menace, carrying pox and they will eat birds' eggs, chicks*
But that is how life on this planet works. Kill or be killed. Who are we to say that the eggs or chicks are more important than the squirrel?
I find this conundrum fascinating. We make these god-like value judgements about nature all the time, but do we have the right to do it and what are they based on?
Personally, had I been a supreme being (if such there be) creating infinite universes I think I would not have gone for kill or be killed as the principle. And I would certainly not have dreamt up menstruation.... but that's another story ....!

Life on this planet does work like that, but when humans interfere, introducing non-native species such as the grey squirrel, they upset the balance of nature and native species suffer as a result.

If you had called wildlife specialists, it would probably have been euthanised anyway, as it is illegal to release grey squirrels back into the wild.

"Please think about me"

Grey squirrels are an invasive species and vets will PTS and rescue organisations are not allowed to release them, even if they do get better

I would have let it die as well. I know it's sad though, as it's still a life

So .... humans introduce the grey squirrel then decide they don't like them cos they interfere with other species who we think are cute, so we humans can try to get rid of them? Is this OK?

Luckygirl3

So .... humans introduce the grey squirrel then decide they don't like them cos they interfere with other species who we think are cute, so we humans can try to get rid of them? Is this OK?

Yes.

Who decides on cute?

It's not a matter of cuteness.

It's if one species upsets the balance of nature which has evolved over thousands of years.

The grey squirrel was introduced by a couple of wealthy Victorians, bringing with it squirrel pox which it can survive but red squirrels cannot.
Conservation programmes are underway and the red squirrel is being re-introduced in some areas and we should do our best to make sure they can survive and thrive in their native habitat.

We once tried to feed a nest of baby shrews that my husband had accidentally disturbed whilst building a compost bin. Mummy shrew did not return ( possibly found by the stray cat). We phoned a local wildlife rescue who advised us how to try and sustain them, but they did not survive - just as they said would probably happen. We have since seen the cat chase after tiny shrews so there must be others.

GrannyGravy13

MaizieD red squirrels have been reintroduced into Essex, they are thriving and growing in numbers.

We have squirrels in our garden, thought they would have relocated when we had two extremely large trees taken down in 2024, but they are still here and breeding.

Haven’t fed the birds over this winter, and quite unexpectedly we have more birds and different varieties than we have seen in the last 38 years 🤷‍♀️

Now do they protect them from the greys?

Some areas in Northumberland are actively managed to protect red squirrels, I think there are contraceptive programmes for the greys ( and. I'm afraid, shooting.

It's if one species upsets the balance of nature which has evolved over thousands of years.

Absolutely, Allira. Some introductions, both plant and animal, have caused endless trouble. Like, DH and I have to spend hours every summer pulling up Himalayan Balsam to stop it over running our few acres...

My SIL did his dissertation on grey squirrel contraception! It seems to have failed!

Where humans have taken decisions that "disturb the balance of nature" it could be that we are just acting like humans who are also part of nature. So our actions are part of that balance.

I suppose at least we can eat muntjac, not sure about a lovely bit of squirrel