Friend or foe? The non-native Grey squirrel is a very common sight in the park and provides a lot of entertainment for children and their families with their antics.
Squirrels are naturally timid creatures but you may have noticed that the ones in the park are becoming less so and approaching people often for food.
Whilst it may be fun to feed the squirrels, this is actually a very big problem. Hand-fed squirrels become increasingly confident and stop waiting to be given food. Increasingly they start to climb into pushchairs, prams and bags to take food for themselves as thay recognise humans as being providers of food and of no threat to them.
Whilst this is not an 'attack' it can be very scary for the young child and they are at risk of being scratched by sharp claws. Additionally, it does not provide squirrels with a healthy natural diet. Ans don't forget, leftover food from feeding squirrels attracts rats which the squirrels come into contact with being able to carry some of the same diseases, therefore we advise the following...
Do not feed the squirrels. There is plenty in the park to provide them with a healthy and blanced diet.
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