22

They are an invasive species and replaced the prettier, native red ones. I think a bounty might cause people to set up indiscriminate traps so wouldn't go there, but I think we should figure out a way to genocide grey squirrels

all 13 comments
sorted by: hot top controversial new old
[-] itslilith@lemmy.blahaj.zone 25 points 6 months ago

ngl, I expected way worse for a sentence starting with "The UK should carry out a genocide"

[-] mipadaitu@lemmy.world 15 points 6 months ago

Putting a bounty on grey squirrels might cause people to breed them just to turn them in, making the problem worse.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perverse_incentive

[-] PP_BOY_@lemmy.world 8 points 6 months ago

Wrong use of the word genocide but I do agree that people are generally too scared to actually deal with invasive species

[-] jonc211@programming.dev 5 points 6 months ago
[-] kirbowo808@kbin.social 3 points 6 months ago* (last edited 6 months ago)

They’re already causing a genocide towards Badgers for “environment/health” reasons and it’s done fuck all, except to harm badgers more and its population.

Yes, grey squirrels are invasive to red squirrels, but that’s cuz they’re stronger genetically than red ones, so it’s not exactly you can do much, cuz it’s in their genes.

Best thing to do is protect red squirrels and actually grow a population of them in a safe environment so they are not at risk of extinction. These conservation efforts have proven time again to be effective for this, whilst not causing harm to other populations of species as well.

[-] Doublepluskirk@lemmy.world 1 points 6 months ago

Difference is, cunty cattle farmers aren't paranoid about grey squirrels, so they, and by extension, our government, doesn't give a shit about them.

[-] Chip_Rat@lemmy.world 2 points 6 months ago

They are tastey, just have a generous/unlimited season and bag limit, put out a few pamphlets with recipes and see how ya do.

[-] Chefdano3@lemm.ee 1 points 6 months ago

Hey! I thought grey squirrels were only supposed be over here in our back yards. You guys have the red ones, isn't that enough?

[-] Flax_vert@feddit.uk 1 points 6 months ago

They are native to America while red ones are native to the UK. Unfortunately American ones invaded the UK

[-] Boozilla@lemmy.world 1 points 6 months ago

Alberta wiped out all the rats in the provence. We call grey squirrels "tree rats"....

[-] QuantumSpecter@lemmy.world 1 points 6 months ago

Grey squirrels are an Aussie revenge plot for sending them European hares

[-] dual_sport_dork@lemmy.world 1 points 6 months ago

I'm ahead of you, but I am in the US so maybe my efforts are not beneficial to you. (Also, I will take back all of my grey squirrels if you will take back all of your goddamn European Starlings.)

Squirrels and starlings are shoot-on-sight at my homestead. Both species are pests, and both of them are destructive to my house, other native birds, and the nests of other native birds. (Yes, I am aware squirrels are not birds. But they still rip out the nests of songbirds in addition to perpetually trying to destroy my gutters, eaves, and soffits.)

this post was submitted on 28 Apr 2024
22 points (80.6% liked)

Unpopular Opinion

6216 readers
393 users here now

Welcome to the Unpopular Opinion community!


How voting works:

Vote the opposite of the norm.


If you agree that the opinion is unpopular give it an arrow up. If it's something that's widely accepted, give it an arrow down.



Guidelines:

Tag your post, if possible (not required)


  • If your post is a "General" unpopular opinion, start the subject with [GENERAL].
  • If it is a Lemmy-specific unpopular opinion, start it with [LEMMY].


Rules:

1. NO POLITICS


Politics is everywhere. Let's make this about [general] and [lemmy] - specific topics, and keep politics out of it.


2. Be civil.


Disagreements happen, but that doesn’t provide the right to personally attack others. No racism/sexism/bigotry. Please also refrain from gatekeeping others' opinions.


3. No bots, spam or self-promotion.


Only approved bots, which follow the guidelines for bots set by the instance, are allowed.


4. Shitposts and memes are allowed but...


Only until they prove to be a problem. They can and will be removed at moderator discretion.


5. No trolling.


This shouldn't need an explanation. If your post or comment is made just to get a rise with no real value, it will be removed. You do this too often, you will get a vacation to touch grass, away from this community for 1 or more days. Repeat offenses will result in a perma-ban.



Instance-wide rules always apply. https://legal.lemmy.world/tos/

founded 1 year ago
MODERATORS