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9 March 2009
GROWING PUBLIC DEMAND FOR GREY SQUIRREL CONTROL
The sixth annual survey commissioned by the European Squirrel Initiative (ESI) continues to highlight the awareness that the general public has that the grey squirrel is responsible for the decline of Britain’s native red squirrel.
This year, the survey conducted for ESI by NEMS Market Research, showed that 74.5% of the public were aware of the damage that the grey squirrel is doing and the threat it posed to the red squirrel. This represents an increase over last years figures of over 6%. In addition 68.5% of those questioned felt that the grey squirrel should be controlled in some way in order to preserve from extinction and restore the red squirrel population.
“These are encouraging results and show the high awareness and recognition of the threat posed by the grey squirrel,” said Miles Barne, chairman of the European Squirrel Initiative. “It is also encouraging to see that there is a real demand amongst the public to control the grey squirrel in some way to protect our native red,” he added.
The survey also revealed that in the age group 16 - 24 69.7% of those questioned were in favour of grey squirrel control, a figure higher than the national average.
“It is encouraging to see that among the younger respondents there is such a realisation of the problem and a recognition that grey squirrel control is the most effective way of preserving and restoring the red squirrel,” commented Mr Barne.
ENDS
