PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
Located in centre of Italy, the Umbria region’s red squirrels are threatened by the presence of the non-native Eastern grey squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) that has spread since it was accidentally released in the city of Perugia in the early 2000s. The introduction of the grey squirrel in Europe is one of the most well-known and studied cases of invasive alien species. In Umbria the grey squirrel is linked to several types of human settlements, such as sub-urban areas with a high population density and the city centre. The grey squirrel is not considered a threat by the general public which see its presence in urban and sub-urban parks as positive.
OBJECTIVES
The main goal of LIFE U-SAVEREDS was to conserve the European red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) in Umbria and the biodiversity in the Apennine ecosystem in general. The aim was also to obtain wide public consensus for management actions, such as the capture and elimination of grey squirrels, in accordance with animal welfare laws. Further goals included the removal of new grey squirrels by the creation of an ‘alien squirrel emergency team’ (ASET) on a national level and the production of a regional early warning system protocol.
RESULTS
The LIFE U-SAVEREDS project greatly reduced the presence of the invasive alien Eastern grey squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis), which represents the main threat for the native red squirrel. During the implementation, the project removed 1,070 grey squirrels present in the city of Perugia and surrounding areas, which also include the Natura 2000 site ( IT5210021) "Monte Malbe". This number corresponds to 71% of the minimum number of grey squirrels estimated at the start of the project. Furthermore, the area in which the grey squirrel is present decreased from 50 km2 at the start of the project to 3 km2 (the density decreased from 3.37 individuals/ha to 0.31).
The area of presence of red squirrel increased from 19 km2 in 2015 to 57 km2 at the end of the project. Another primary goal was to obtain the broadest consensus by the public opinion and to limit the opposition of stakeholder groups, including animal welfare groups, to the grey squirrel management plan. In order to follow the requests of the animal-right activists, a total of 64 grey squirrels were sterilised and released in three urban parks within the city of Perugia. Moreover, grey squirrel was widespread in the city of Perugia, since it was recorded in several types of human settlements, such as high human population density areas in the suburbs, as well as in the city centre.Once the grey squirrel removal was sufficiently advanced, eight red squirrels were released in the Pian di Massiano Park and in the Città della Domenica Park. The first park, the main urban park of Perugia, was occupied by both species at the start of the project, while the latter is visited by many people and was where the first grey squirrels were released. The project carried out also environmental improvement activities, such as the planting of 70 walnut trees and the installation of nest boxes and feeders, in two areas identified as critical for the local red squirrel populations.
The project contributed on a national level to the implementation of the EU Regulation 1143/2014 on the prevention and management of the introduction and diffusion of invasive exotic species. The project prevented the expansion of the grey squirrel population and established a procedure for removing grey squirrel to outside Umbria. It also established an Early Warning System and Rapid Response at regional and inter-regional levels: when the presence grey squirrels is confirmed, the Alien Squirrel Emergency Team established by the project provides the local authorities with technical support, according to the produced guidelines for alien squirrel management. Additionally, the Municipality of Perugia tested a new protocol aimed at reducing the impact of rodent control activities on urban populations of squirrels and will continue to apply it.
Furthermore, the project provided assistance and training to 30 teachers and 23 environmental educators, involving 22 classes. It also participated in the Perugia puppet festival (‘Imagine ... being kids’) that aims to communicate the goals of the project to children, families and the public in general, for three years, through games and creative workshops. Around 290 children were reached.
Further information on the project can be found in the project's layman report and After-LIFE Communication Plan/After-LIFE Conservation Plan (see "Read more" section).
