Stop Prince Charles' Culling of Grey Squirrels

What do you call it when humans introduce new species to an area, make a mess of the local ecology and then attempt to backtrack via mass killings of the now-dominant species? We'd call this "a mess" — but in Great Britain, where Prince Charles is supporting a plan to re-introduce red squirrels to Cornwall by slaughtering thousands of grey squirrels, they're calling it "culling."

Animal advocacy groups say that releasing red squirrels bred in captivity would place an enormous strain on both the indigenous and non-indigenous squirrels, which are both doing well within their own ranges and would be unlikely to thrive in less optimal areas. But Prince Charles hopes to rid the country of grey squirrels in order to re-introduce red squirrels in their place.

Make no mistake about it — these "cullings" are not a humane process. Squirrels are trapped, shot, bludgeoned or even poisoned with warfarin, which causes them to bleed to death over an average of nine days.

Native to North America, the grey squirrel was introduced to Britain as an ornamental species in Victorian times by the aristocracy. The now-vilified greys quickly supplanted the native red squirrels. Ironically, the charges levied against the greys — that they damage trees and eat birds’ eggs — were once used to justify killing hundreds of thousands of red squirrels. The greys are also accused of spreading a deadly disease to their red relatives.

Animal activists say that it's possible to boost the red squirrel population without harming the greys with methods such as establishing red populations on islands, changing tree planting patterns and offering supplementary feeding. What's more, culling doesn't appear to be effective — rapid recolonization and increased reproductive rates compensate for the effects of culling.

In an attempt to express their disapproval and gain attention for the squirrels' plight, local animal activist groups Viva! and Animal Aid have called for a boycott of the Prince's Duchy Originals line of organic products. Send a message to Prince Charles letting him know you don't support the culling of the grey squirrels.

Photo credit: Bobolink