23^rd May 2006

GREY SQUIRREL POSES THREAT TO EUROPEAN BIODIVERSITY  

A report published today in Turin, Italy, predicts the rapid spread of the invasive American grey squirrel through Italy and into neighbouring countries.  This invasion will cause severe environmental and economic damage unless steps are taken to control it.  

The report entitled “Prediction of the Grey Squirrel spread from Italy into adjacent Countries” has been prepared for the European Squirrel Initiative (ESI) by the Department of Entomology and Zoology at Facolta di Agraria, Turin and School of Biology, University of Newcastle, U.K. It predicts that the existing Italian colonies of American grey squirrels will grow rapidly to spread to France and Switzerland within the next 25 years and estimates that by the end of the next century the greys will colonise large parts of Northern Italy and reach a population of around 12 million animals. 

American grey squirrels were introduced into Italy in 1948.  At present there are three colonies, a large population near Turin and two smaller populations, one along the TicinoRiver and another at Genoa Nervi. American grey squirrels are estimated to be less than 2 years away from the commercially valuable nut-growing areas south of Turin. The report echoes political concern from the Permanent Commission of the Bern Convention who, dismayed by the lack of action in Italy, produced a specific recommendation in December 2005, urging the authorities of the TicinoValley to eradicate grey squirrels.

 “These predictions highlight the serious threat to the native red squirrel population of Europe,” said Miles Barne, Chairman of ESI, a U.K. based charity.  “The greys take over the natural habitat of the reds and gradually eliminate them from their own environment. These invaders also cause extensive damage to commercial tree and fruit plantations and cereal crops.   The longer the spread is left unchecked, the greater the impact this alien species will have on native wildlife, agriculture and forestry”.

The aim of the report was to model predictions for the spread of grey squirrels from Italy into France and Switzerland and to evaluate the effect that the removal or absence of the Ticino and Genoa populations would have on the dispersal rate of the grey squirrels.   

“We used a spatially explicitly population dynamics model (SEPM) to predict the spread,” explained the report’s author Dr. Sandro Bertolino. “This model was combined with habitat maps. Squirrel population dynamics are linked to the seed crop patterns and food availability, and the summary is based on the provision of average and good seed crop patterns.”   

The only uncertainty is the likely speed of the spread. Large areas of Europe contain potentially good habitat for grey squirrels, and their spread would pose a significant future problem for commercial forestry, biodiversity and a threat to native wildlife such as the European red squirrel.  Once the grey squirrel crosses the Alps and reachesFrance and Switzerland then the rate of colonisation is likely to speed up.  In particular, the river valleys of the Rhone and Rhine in Switzerland provide easy access into Germany and the rest of Europe.   

ENDS

1. For more information please either contact: 

·        Filippo Gautier on 0039 335 5753 200

·        Sandro Bertolino on 0039 039 0878 832 email:  sandro.bertolino@unito.it

·        Andrew Kendall on 0044 7850 601354  email: Andrew.kendall@kendallscom.co.uk

·        U.K. office 0044 1394 610 022  

2. A full version of the report can be found under Reports

3. A DVD with animated maps and photographs of red and grey squirrels is available please contact Andrew Kendall on 0044 1394 610 022: email: Andrew.kendall@kendallscom.co.uk 

NOTES TO EDITORS 

The European Squirrel Initiative was founded in June 2002 by a group of concerned conservationists and foresters. The organisation seeks the restoration of the native Red Squirrel and the protection of the natural environment by removing the impact of the alien Grey Squirrel in Europe.

Its role is to 

• Persuade conservation bodies and governments of the absolute necessity of ridding Europe of the Grey Squirrel.
• Continue to commission research into the impact of the Grey Squirrel on local ecosystems.