tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1664818944279303018.post8416438814896816239..comments2024-03-02T08:28:45.858+00:00Comments on Zoo News Digest: The Controversy of Ecological CleansingPeter Dickinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14844154645977419563noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1664818944279303018.post-48647289032770705292010-02-11T00:11:14.940+00:002010-02-11T00:11:14.940+00:00Red squirrels or grey squirrels who really cares? ...Red squirrels or grey squirrels who really cares? From a biodiversity point of view it hardly matters, the UK is hardly pristine wilderness, and as I understand the red squirrel is still a common species across a vast range. So Chris Packham has chosen a soft target.<br /><br />But come down south of the Wallace line, and the argument is very different. You have heard from some New Zealanders, a similar argument is made in Australia regarding red foxes, cane toads, various hollow-nesting bird species, and many others. And we are not talking about two very similar species, we are talking about huge range of taxa many with close relatives no-where else in the world.Michaelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06352356901902763330noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1664818944279303018.post-70517694265859111962010-02-10T11:33:11.558+00:002010-02-10T11:33:11.558+00:00I agree Liz, it is an extremely interesting articl...I agree Liz, it is an extremely interesting article. To be honest though I believe that if he had wanted that Chris could have made an equally eloquent arguement from the other side. I played my small part in grey squirrel eradication in hand with red reintroduction and whereas I like the greys I would prefer them back in North America. The Grey are already becoming a major problem in Italy of all places and in spite of damage to the economy have their own protection group. I am none too sure how much of a pest they are in the Cape of South Africa.<br />New Zealand, as you say as been a bit of an experimental alien species dumping ground. If I were there I would be doing exactly the same as you. Providing the endemics with a bit of a lifeline to hang on to...though I fear it is too late for many.Peter Dickinsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14844154645977419563noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1664818944279303018.post-69344763501810067542010-02-10T04:13:15.694+00:002010-02-10T04:13:15.694+00:00Fascinating viewpoint Chris Packham has taken on h...Fascinating viewpoint Chris Packham has taken on his view of invasive species Peter. Sadly I have to take an opposite view in the case of the Australian Brushtailed possum of which we have here in New Zealand 71,000,000 of them eating through our native forests, our bird life and carrying Bovine TB. Fascinating marsupials at that. These animals live in a hierarchy structure with a dominant female and subserviant males. Very territorial as well. They mark trees with their claws and can cause some serious damage to gardens and fruit trees. At present I'm using Timms Traps which are a humane kill trap. I'd prefer they son't suffer in anyway. Unfortunately in the case of females they also may have a joey in the pouch. I've put down more than one. On these marsuapials, stoats, weasels, Ferrets and feral cats I have no hesitation in destroying these pests. If it means our own endemic species of flora and fauna survive that's more important in my eyes.<br /><br />Great post thanks Peter I found this very very interesting and thought provoking.Lizhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05100812038496671783noreply@blogger.com