What to do after spotting a Finlayson’s squirrel?

They may be cute, but the Finlayson’s squirrels spotted in different parts of the country may be doing more harm than good. 

According to Jonathan Andal’s report in “24 Oras” on Monday, residents in Barangay San Lorenzo in Makati City are now complaining about the small creatures.

The barangay chairperson lost his Internet connection at home after the squirrels nibbled on the connection wires. 

“We’ve been receiving these reports for over two years na (already). Before we noticed that it was limited to Dasmariñas and Forbes. Then a few years ago we started seeing them here,” said barangay chairperson Jose Emmanuel Recto. 

The city veterinarian, on the other hand, said the squirrels are now considered pests.

“Parang lumalabas (It would appear that) they are pests already… Magkaka-problema tayo dito pag pumunta ‘to sa mga taniman because talagang kakainin nito ang mga pananim natin (We will have a problem if these go to our farms and eat our crops),” said Katherine Mangahas. 

The Makati City Veterinary Office said the squirrels have been seen in seven barangays: Forbes Park; Dasmariñas; Bel-Air; San Lorenzo; Urdaneta; Magallanes; and Pinagkaisahan. 

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Biodiversity Management Bureau (DENR-BMB) said there are nine squirrel species in the Philippines.

The Finlayson’s squirrels are usually found in neighboring countries such as Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar, and is considered an invasive alien species in the Philippines. 

Aside from Metro Manila, the DENR-BMB said there are also sightings of the Finlayson’s squirrels in Cavite, Batangas, Rizal, and Nueva Ecija. 

The DENR-BMB said it has already controlled the population of the said squirrel species in the country, but must beef up its efforts to control their numbers again. 

“Not good for the environment kaya huwag natin silang i-opportunize, alagaan, or gawin silang mga pets (so let us not treat them as an opportunity, take care of them as pets),” said DENR-BMB wildlife resources division chief Anson Tagtag.

Officials of the Barangay San Lorenzo in Makati City said the DENR’s guidelines in trapping squirrels, which requires monitoring every eight or 10 hours, are not practical and safe for barangay personnel.

“If we get to capture some of these animals, hindi namin alam kung saan ilalagay. Kasi minsan hindi immediate yung pagdating ng DENR,” said Recto. 

(If we get to capture some of these animals, we don’t know where to keep them. Because sometimes the DENR personnel don’t arrive immediately.) 

“Walang malinaw na guidelines… What is acceptable, for mercy killing, to them, para pare-pareho naming magawa at makapasok doon sa requirement ng batas,” said Mangahas. 

(There are no clear guidelines… What is acceptable to them for mercy killing, so that we can all do it the same way and comply with the requirements of the law.) 

GMA News is reaching out to the DENR in response to the concerns of the local government. 

The DENR-BMB reminded the public to turn over any spotted squirrels to them as the squirrels also pose health risks to humans like rabies. 

“DENR ang gagawa ng humane disposal for safety reasons. Kailangan matanggal sila dahil they are documented to be detrimental sa ating kapaligiran,” said Tagtag. 

(The DENR will handle the humane disposal for safety reasons. They need to be cleared out because they are documented to be detrimental to our environment.) — Vince Angelo Ferreras/JMA, GMA News