Movement And Mortality Of
Translocated Squirrels

Synopsis

Squirrels, including the Eastern gray squirrel species discussed in this study, are typically seen as a nuisance by residents of suburban and urban neighborhoods, getting inside attics, eating out of bird feeders, and damaging roofs, siding and other areas of the house.

Florida homeowners are quick to call wildlife control professionals to trap and relocate these little animals assuming the squirrels will do just fine once relocated to a forest outside of town or other rural location.

However, as the study shows, this is not necessarily the case, and this study a strong argument for utilizing exclusion wildlife control methods (our preferred method) over trap and relocate options.

The squirrels in this study were captured in metropolitan neighborhoods in the Baltimore-Washington, area, and translocated to a forest environment.

Capture methods and translocation procedures were the same for each squirrel, including the use of tracking collars. However, release locations at the refuge site varied due to the importance of maintaining balance in the environment where the squirrels were translocated.

Indications were that the squirrels did not fare well, within three months, 37 of the 38 squirrels either died or disappeared from the refuge.

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