“Spatial and temporal patterns of bait uptake by grey squirrels in woodlands” - “XIII EVPMC 2023, European Vertebrate Pest Management Conference, 28 August – 1 September 2023, Florence, Italy
Author(s)
Cristiano Tiberi
Date Issued
2023
Type
conferenceObject
Abstract
Invasive alien species (IAS) are the second largest cause of biodiversity loss in the world. The European Commission has
drafted a regulation for the prevention and management of invasive alien species. Among the most damaging species is
the grey squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis), which is considered a pest in newly introduced areas. The introduction of grey
squirrels has a two-fold negative effect on new territories: a) the gradual disappearance of the native squirrel (Sciurus
vulgaris), b) considerable economic losses in the forestry sector. Culling (through trapping or shooting), poisoning and
surgical sterilisation are methods currently used to control squirrel populations. As lethal management methods are facing
increasing opposition from society, novel non-lethal methods such as fertility control are increasingly preferred for
population management in the future. The effective and efficient application of oral fertility control depends on factors
that may influence the uptake of a contraceptive bait by the target species. This study investigates the spatial and temporal
patterns of bait uptake by microchipped grey squirrels, using bait dispensers equipped with microchip readers. The feeding
behaviour of four populations of grey squirrel in woodlands in Yorkshire, UK were monitored in three different
woodlands at two different times of the year (summer and winter). Across all study sites a total of 138 squirrels were
microchipped, including 61 males and 77 females. A total of 21-24 dispensers were deployed in each wood and the spatial
and temporal distribution of individual feeding visits mapped and analysed based on sex, reproductive status and season.
The data were then used to optimize resource allocation, in terms of effort and equipment employed, to maximise bait
uptake in target populations in the future. The application of the study findings to other bait deployment strategies for
wildlife management is discussed.
Conference(s)
XIII EVPMC 2023, European Vertebrate Pest Management Conference, 28 August – 1 September 2023, Florence, Italy