SquirrelWeb

Geoffrey Palmer and John Koprowski

Ecology of Introduced Mexican Red-bellied Squirrels in Biscayne National Park and their impact on an Endangered Palm

Two pairs of Mexican Red-bellied Squirrels (Sciurus aureogaster) were introduced to the 10 km2 Elliott Key in Biscayne National Park, Florida, USA about 70 years ago. The population expanded to the point where it was believed to negatively impact an endangered endemic palm. In 1992, the 7 m tidal surge that accompanied Hurricane Andrew submersed the entire key and the introduced tree squirrel was believed to have been eradicated as a result. Recent anecdotal observations suggested that the population was extant and growing. A visit by one of us (John Koprowski) to the site in March 2005 documented the persistence of the population. Our study will investigate the distribution, habitat use, and impact on palms of Mexican red-bellied squirrels using drey surveys, live trapping, radiotelemetry, and observation. Field work will be initiated in December 2005 and continue for 2 years.

To learn more, contact John L. Koprowski, Associate Professor, Wildlife Conservation and Management, School of Natural Resources, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA.

Apparently, squirrels in London have become addicted to Class A drugs – see the article, South London squirrels after different kind of stash from The Guardian newspaper on 8th October 2005 www.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,,1587694,00.html .

Periyar Tiger Reserve, on the banks of Periyar Lake situated in the Western Ghats of Kerala, India
22-29 March 2006

Second Announcement & Call for Abstracts

The Fourth International Colloquium on Tree Squirrels and the First Colloquium on Flying Squirrels are envisioned as being a meeting place for researchers with an active interest in tree and flying squirrels as model systems for evolutionary and ecological studies. It is proposed that these colloquia will act as a forum for the exchange of a wide spectrum of research ideas ranging from the ecology, life history strategies, evolutionary biology and comparative phylogenetics to the conservation biology of tree and flying squirrels. The colloquia will be held between 22-29 March 2006 in Periyar Tiger Resreve, Kerala, India.

While this will be the fourth international colloquium on tree squirrels, it will be the first colloquium on flying squirrels. It will also be the first time that these colloquia are being hosted in Asia. Themes to be covered at the Colloquia: Biogeography and Distribution, Ecology, Behavioural Ecology, Plant-animal Interactions, Population Biology, Evolutionary biology, Conservation biology, and Museum Studies and Taxonomy.

The Colloquia will be accompanied by the “Conservation Priorities Workshop: Tree and Flying Squirrels in the Developing World”, which aims to highlight the paucity of research and conservation efforts directed toward squirrels in the tropics. Themes covered at the Workshop will include: Identifying priority species, the state of Science in the tropics, Forest management practices and their impacts on squirrels, and Subsistence and Commercial Hunting of Squirrels. We also propose to include a session on the techniques of surveying both diurnal and nocturnal squirrels during the Workshop.

Please find details of abstract submission and registration on our website,www.squirrelcolloquia.co.in or www.iisc.ernet.in/nias/itsc.htm

The colloquia will be officially hosted by the National Institute of Advanced Studies, Bangalore, India. For further details please visit our websites or contact Nandini R. at  or

Proceedings of the 2005 Irish Red Squirrel Conservation Symposium held at the National University of Ireland, Galway are now available on-line. Please go to the Conferences and Meetings Webpage or the Publications Webpage, both under Articles.

Goedele Verbeylen writes:

Sciurotamias davidianus

“In August 2005 we found out about a park (size 5 ha) in Flanders where a population of alien squirrels is present for about 2 years now. They reproduce well (they estimate about 20-30 animals present now) and start to do serious damage to the trees (and also to an electric cable). There are also sightings 1-2 km outside the park. The government wants to trap them as soon as possible. At first we did not know what species they are, but subsequently we received information about the species from a nearby pet shop. It is believed to be Sciurotamias davidianus, a species that the pet shop sold about 8 years ago.

“It’s about the size of a red squirrel, relatively short fur, no earplugs, fur color is brownish (the hairs are alternatively black and yellow) with a yellowish belly. On the pictures it may look a bit grey, but that’s because of the reflection when I took the pictures, it’s really brownish.”

Hopefully, Goedele will keep us updated about the situation in Flanders.

In the recently released film Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, based on the book by Roald Dahl, real, rather than virtual, squirrels had to be trained to crack nuts to order for one particular scene – see news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/4702653.stm for further information. Cracking good stuff! We are also reliably infomed that the film is very good.

It was with great sadness to learn that Italo Currado passed away on Tuesday 26th July 2005; he was 69 years old. Our thoughts are with his family and friends. See Italo Currado 1936-2005.

This was organised by Dr Colin Lawton and held at the National University of Ireland, Galway in April 2005. It is hoped to post the abstracts and a discussion report from the meeting on Squirrel Web soon.

National University of Ireland, Galway 22nd April 2005 Organised by Dr Colin Lawton [UPDATE] Proceedings of the Symposium are now available: Lawton, C. (Ed.) (2005). Proceedings of the Irish Red Squirrel Conservation Symposium, 22nd April, 2005. 20pp. National University of Ireland, Galway.