Until recently the law stated that if a grey squirrel was caught it was that person's duty to kill it, in order to protect the ever declining race of native red squirrels that are being wiped out due to their American cousins.
However, it seems that the sentimental nature of the public has stopped this being the case. Now, if you are in possession of a grey squirrel you can release it into the wild, but only if you apply for and are granted a licence to do so.
The act of giving out licences for release means that numbers can be monitored - this year, 450 grey squirrels will be granted release. This has caused very mixed reactions with the public. For some animal activists the decision has not gone down too well, as they fear for the red squirrel who has suffered a huge decline since the 19th Century when grey squirrels were released in Britain. For others, it is a decision welcomed with open arms, as many people now associate grey squirrels with national heritage and feel a stroll in the park would not be the same without them.
For many, allowing these animals humane treatment is of the upmost importance. For others, the point of a licence is being questioned, especially considering the rate at which squirrels can reproduce. Britain's squirrels produce a staggering 4.5 million offspring a year - however, only a quarter of these survive the winter and another 3000 mature squirrels die every day. The circle of life is certainly an active one within the squirrel kingdom!
Interestingly, the first recorded introduction of grey squirrels to Britain happened in 1876, in Henbury Park near Macclesfield! Considering there are now about 2 million grey squirrels scampering around the country it seems a past Macclesfield resident has sparked a rodent epidemic!
