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Pallas' squirrel eradication in the Netherlands. Case study in: Invasive Alien Species Colonisation Prevention: Your guide to early detection and rapid response
Abstract
Summary of the Pallas' eradication in the Netherlands in 2011-2015.
... These introductions/translocations led to 20 established populations, 4 unsuccessful establishments and 2 initially established populations but rare since 2011. In one introduction event in Japan, the released individuals were soon removed, and in Belgium and the Netherlands, the populations were eradicated in 2011 and 2015, respectively [61,62]. New studies showed the presence of a new population in Japan in Iruma City (Saitama Prefecture), first detected in 2011 [63], and a more recent one on Mt. ...
... Pallas's and Finlayson's squirrels are known for their activity of bark-stripping but, also, for cable or pipe gnawing (see the section on impacts for more details). In several countries where they were introduced, their presence was detected once these damages became evident (e.g., [61,62]). However, some studies showed the possibility of detecting the species even when at low densities after a new introduction/translocation event or after removal programs, when only a few individuals are left. ...
... Visual surveying was the monitoring technique used in almost all the areas of introduction of Callosciurus squirrels. During these surveys, the operators, walking along transects or visiting different wood patches, aimed to visually detect the squirrels, to hear their calls or to detect signs of their presence such as nests (especially in those areas where there were no native squirrels) or bark-stripping [61][62][63]71,98,99]. In France, the distance sampling of individuals and nests along line transects produced reliable estimates of the relative abundance of Pallas's squirrels in different habitats [71]. ...
The trade of non-native pets, especially of non-domesticated and exotic animals, and their subsequent release and establishment of populations is one of the major pathways of introduction for invasive alien reptiles, amphibia, birds and mammals. Here, we use a group of arboreal mammals, tree squirrels of the genus Callosciurus, as a well-documented case study, reviewing the pathways of introduction, the current areas of non-native distribution, the rate of establishment success and the challenge and legal importance of species identification. We further illustrate the importance of early detection and effective monitoring methods and plans. Next, we document how they interfere with native species, their risk of acting as vectors for emerging infectious diseases and their potential role in maintaining parasitic infections that can affect human health. We conclude by reviewing the current management, or the lack of it, and highlight the diverse biological, social, political and economic reasons that make control/eradication of these charismatic species difficult or even impractical in most countries. However, reviewing the only two successful eradications of the IAS, we highlight the need to acknowledge the public opinion and the importance of communication, transparency and the engagement of a diversity of stakeholders to create a consensus about the actions to undertake.
... Therefore, when alien populations are established in urban areas, they can easily become an attraction for people. In the Netherlands, the support of citizens was considered crucial for the success of the red-bellied tree squirrel (Callosciurus erythraeus) eradication campaign, as many squirrels lived in private gardens (La Haye, 2019). The collaboration of the local community was gained by spaying trapped squirrels and maintaining them in captivity rather than causing their death. ...
... The lack of legislation that provides staff powers of access to private lands for IAS control has been proposed as a negative point in some projects (Dana et al., 2019;La Haye, 2019;Davies et al., 2020). Such legislation was adopted in Great Britain and South Africa, but it has not been applied yet in both countries (Crowley et al., 2017;Davies et al., 2020) and therefore its effectiveness is still unknown. ...
Biological invasions are one of the major drivers of global environmental change and there is a need to develop integrated strategies to counteract this phenomenon. Eradication is an effective management option to mitigate the deleterious impacts of invasive alien species (IAS). Eradication can be achieved if all reproductive individuals are removed and population recovery is prevented. However, individuals may survive removal operations in private areas if interventions are not allowed. Here, we present 1) three case studies in which restricted private property access prevented the local eradication of invasive alien populations, and 2) a list of reasons for denying access to private properties and a list of actions implemented or suggested by managers to facilitate access and reported in 29 reviewed papers. The restricted access affected the local eradication of three Eastern grey squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) populations in Italy. In Lombardy region, in one area a planned eradication did not start and in another area the implemented eradication failed due to the refusal from the owner of a large private property to grant access to managers. In Umbria region, the lack of collaboration from an Italian financial institution produced a delay of 15 months in the removal. In our case studies, therefore, a single person or institution denied access for a personal gain or presumed internal security. The reasons behind landowner opposition may be diverse and individual attitudes towards IAS management will depend on interactions with owners. According to our review, in many cases the denial of access takes place in a general perception of mistrust or opposition to the project as the results of a limited engagement of local people. Such opposition often jeopardizes control activities, with profound negative consequences on eradication, expecially at landscape scale. Bottom-up approaches aiming at involving stakeholders can increase the possibility to achieve IAS eradication, however appropriate legislation remains pivotal to enforce eradication in case of non-cooperative behaviour.
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