The Isle of Man has several iconic species which we should preserve before thinking of introducing new species onto the Island and tying up our limited budgets. Bring back our natural specticals.

Introducing Red Squirrels, that have not lived on the Isle of Man, sends out a false message and could have a devastating impact on our Manx wildlife. The Manx Wildlife Trust is against introducing the species and impacting on our habitats that are already battling with other environmental pressures. The Trust is currently working to make sure Puffins do not go extinct on the Island. April will see the Wildlife Trust undertaking some amazing work with Manx National Heritage and Manx Ornithological Society to help Puffins recover on the Calf of Man.

Introducing the squirrels, which while many of the public will appreciate as a conservation icon elsewhere in the British Isles, is a risky business as they will find it hard to survive due to limited food sources, which is exactly when they can have an impact on birds through eating eggs. As they have not lived on the Isle of Man they are called alien species and we just don’t know what havoc they may unleash when the islands wildlife has never had to live with them before.

“We are preparing for some great work on the Calf, which helps highlight the kind of work and responsibility we should be taking seriously on the Isle of Man” Dr Tim Graham, CEO of the Manx Wildlife Trust continued, “as Red Squirrels are not Manx and would have a bad effect on our wildlife we need to look at our other iconic species that need our help to recover – and people clearly love to come and see!”

At a time when the designation of the Isle of Man as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve has been welcomed there should be a focus on what is needed to make sure nature can recover and people understand its benefits to their everyday lives. Adding a new species will have a terrible impact and we should be celebrating our Manx wildlife heritage and supporting its recovery. We are working to protect Manx wildlife so that future generations can the return of spectacular Manx sights and species, such as large numbers of Manx shearwaters and puffins on the Calf of Man.