'Alien' species could endanger birds
Introducing red squirrels on the Island could have a devastating impact on our wildlife.
That's the belief of the Manx Wildlife Trust, under newly appointed Chief Executive Officer, Dr Tim Graham.
The idea has recently been floated again, after the Countryside Restoration Trust suggested the Island would be an ideal place to set up a colony of the animals.
Environment, Food and Agriculture Minister Richard Ronan has now launched a public consultation to bring the endangered species to the Island.
However, Dr Graham says while the animal is well-loved and a conservation icon, it has no place on the Isle of Man.
Dr Graham says introducing squirrels would be a risky business, as they have never been recorded on the Island and would therefore be classed as an alien species.
Due to limited food resources they would find it hard to survive, which means they may have an impact on the Island's birdlife through eating eggs.
He goes on to say "we don't know what havoc they may unleash when the Island's wildlife has never had to live with them before"
Dr Graham suggests the Island should instead be supporting projects to aid the recovery of native species such as the Puffin, in schemes such as the one getting underway on the Calf which hopes to encourage the birds to breed there again.
