The Finlayson’s squirrel, a fairly aggressive, non-native species believed to have originated from escaped or abandoned pets, is in danger of ‘running amok’ following preparations to transform its current habitat the Bidadari area, into a housing development.
Nature enthusiasts worry that the squirrel might escape to other parts of Singapore and displace native species such as the slender and plantain squirrels. Finlayson’s squirrels are also known to prey on small native animals like chicks and damage tree bark.
According to Channel NewsAsia, the National Parks Board (NPB) is aware of the problem and is working with non-governmental organisations and local naturalists to monitor it and study possible measures to take.
When asked about the possibilities of relocating this particular speciies, chief executive of the Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (ACRES) Louis Ng said they would like to look into trapping and returning them to their native countries.
“We don’t want to send the message animals can be just culled … it’s a problem we created and it’s a problem that we should solve — and it’s not by killing the animals,” he said.
Nature Society Singapore council member Tony O’Dempsey has pointed out that moving the Finlayson’s squirrel to Singapore’s nature reserves may be damaging and suggests more park connectors be developed to aid in the expansion of the Finlayson’s squirrel.
Source: Channel NewsAsia
