Grey Squirrel Killers!

[SquirrelFan]

These are the scum who are given tax-payers money to slaughter grey squirrels. They are nothing more than upper-class thugs who get enjoyment out of killing defenceless animals! They even admit that they're not really that bothered about the reds! It's just a game to them, dressed in their 'combat' gear. I only hope Parker gets killed when his gun backfires, and that LibDem twit Lord Redesdale (Spokesperson for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs!!!) gets cjd from all the squirrels he eats!

Saving the red squirrel | Environment | guardian.co.uk

Tim Adams meets a pair of militants out to defend the red squirrel | Environment | The Observer

[Dogghound]

Reducing grey squirrels is good for other wildlife they are an invasive species after all. However after the recent news of a break through in reds against the squirrelpox virus, it would probably be better to spend money on this project, however I fear we will never deal with the grey problem sufficiently for reds to recolonise.

[Llangynog]

It's the grey squirrels that are the killers both indirectly and directly. It was a big mistake to introduce them and an environmental catastrophe to tolerate them.
I suspect that you are blinded by your own prejudices because nowhere does it say in the articles, nor does it imply, that Parker and Redesdale are not bothered about the reds. They have obviously researched their subject thoroughly, something that you do not appear to have done.

[new2deer]

pest control: the necessary evil. Maybe through your ignorance you do not care for animal welfare as much as you preach, and you would much prefer to cause mischief and havoc for other humans rather that to actually help any species of animal?


Just a thought

[Wild-Woman]

I don't know whether the Reds could ever get back across Britain. Their habitats are too sparce and broken into islands.

[wild flower]

Invasion, extinction, evolution are all elements of a natural environment. Humans are doing exactly what the grey squirrel is doing -invading all areas of land that offer suitable habitat, pushing out all competitors for resources-unless we like them for the time being, and killing. However in other organisms we are quick to consider a simplistic cause and effect, apply labels, mostly with negative connotations that then justify ACTION and invariably this involves humans as judge, jury and killer.

I am not suggesting lack of action but I would like to see a discussion about these short, quick fix solutions humans come up with and how we justify killing 'x' to save 'y'. There is a similar thread on the website where in the name of 'saving salmon' we kill a parasite by wiping out an entire river ecosystem. My gut instinct tells me we need to tread very carefully on such matters and think very deeply about the values upon which we are basing such action.

[Shadowstar]

The biggest and most widespread pest on planet Earth, and a threat to all wildlife, is humankind.

[Llangynog]

I agree with you Shadowstar. I would actively support a severe cull of humankind starting with the 90% who don't give a fig for anything but themselves and their ambition!

[Paul mabbott]

Originally Posted by Llangynog

It's the grey squirrels that are the killers both indirectly and directly. It was a big mistake to introduce them and an environmental catastrophe to tolerate them.
I suspect that you are blinded by your own prejudices because nowhere does it say in the articles, nor does it imply, that Parker and Redesdale are not bothered about the reds. They have obviously researched their subject thoroughly, something that you do not appear to have done.

Quite right! I can understand why, on an individual basis, people might feel some sympathy for grey squirrels but at an ecological level they are a disaster for other, native species. One of those tough choices -do you feel sorry for someone who is mugging you or do you hit them with the nearest heavy object?

[Paul mabbott]

Originally Posted by Llangynog

I agree with you Shadowstar. I would actively support a severe cull of humankind starting with the 90% who don't give a fig for anything but themselves and their ambition!

Especially those who introduced, feed and encourage grey squirrels and other invasive species