Saving the red squirrel with robots and roasts?
For the past 130 years, red squirrels have had a tough time. Once widespread across the whole of the England they have been pushed back into just a few small areas, including Dorset’s Brownsea Island, by their grey cousins which were introduced from the USA by the Victorians.
Conservationists are now desperately trying to find ways to save our lovable red rodent because they may be in more danger than ever. A mutant strain of the grey squirrel has appeared – it’s aggressive, it’s highly territorial and rather than grey, it’s black.
First spotted in 1912, mutant squirrels have coexisted peacefully with greys for the best part of a century. In the last few years, however, they have begun to turn the screw. According to geneticists the mutant population is expanding across East Anglia and is spreading further a field every year. If they reach the last strongholds of the reds, Squirrel Nutkins could be well and truly nobbled.
In one attempt to help the endangered red squirrel, scientists have developed a robotic squirrel in the vain hope of fostering a better understanding of grey squirrel behaviour. The electronic creation, dubbed “Rocky”, will aid in breaking down the complex web of squirrel communication, which includes “flagging” of tails and barking. Understanding the squirrel, apparently, is the first step in defeating it. But is this cutting edge research or is someone at the research council one acorn short of a winter?
The project is similar to the efforts of a number of teams around the world working to penetrate other animal societies. Researchers in Brussels have been able to use robot cockroaches to lure real cockroaches out into the open for more efficient slaughter. And Jack Bradbury, an ornithologist with Cornell University, was able to talk to a parrot through speakers hidden in a bush. The parrot was later seen encouraging other parrots to follow a set of commandments. At Indiana University, researchers were even able to build a robot that could successfully challenge male lizards to push up contests.
With robo-animals a tried and tested method, maybe the squirrel scientists will be able to get inside the mind of the grey and black invaders, and work out ways to cut short their stay in the UK.
There might, however, be a much more simple answer to the problem of too many of the wrong sort of squirrel – we should eat them. Grey squirrels have been described as the most ethical meal available – low in fat, low in food miles and a hundred per cent free range. One Cornish butcher who took the brave step of putting squirrel on the slab now can’t keep up with demand from his customers.
According to the brave souls who have taken the plunge and tried roast squirrel say that it tastes like a cross between rabbit and pork. Particular favourites include squirrel pasties and squirrel fricassee served with (obviously) walnuts.
So, Britain, maybe it’s time to do our bit for the local wildlife and tuck into a squirrel stew. But before you do, just make sure it’s not a robot.
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