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10 Human Problems (from a squirrel’s viewpoint)
- Johns Hopkins University Press
- Chapter
- Additional Information
Are squirrels endangered? Yes, some species of squirrels are definitely endangered, while other species definitely are not. Habitat loss is perhaps the most important factor contributing to the decline of squirrel populations around the world. Forests and grasslands are disappearing to make way for farming, grazing, and human development. Although some species of squirrels have proven adept at living alongside humans, many squirrels will not be able to survive in this altered environment. The following example demonstrates that the situation may be exceedingly complex. Vancouver Island marmots are one of the most endangered mammals on the planet. Endemic to Vancouver Island in British Columbia, there are only 35 still living in the wild and a further 93 marmots in captivity. These marmots live at elevations of 1,000 meters (3,281 feet) or higher and depend on treeless meadows and good soil for burrowing. The causes for the decline of the Vancouver Island marmot are multiple and include human disturbance, weather, predation, disease, and hunting. In the 1960s and 1970s areas of Vancouver Island were logged extensively. These logging activities cleared land and created artificial meadows that seemed to bene fit the Vancouver Island marmot. Since marmot numbers peaked at 350 animals in the 1980s, however, they have declined. Studies have shown that marmots living in these clear-cut habitats produce fewer dispersing young than those marmots that live in natural meadows. Because fewer young are dispersing, the numbers of marmots living in a small area within and around these habitats are larger, thus increasing the risk for severe weather or predation to wipe out a large number of marmots at one time. In addiChapter 10 Human Problems (from a squirrel’s viewpoint) Table 10.1. Endangered and threatened squirrel species Red List—International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) • Critically endangered Namdapha flying squirrel (Biswamoyopterus biswasi), Southeast Asia Sumatran flying squirrel (Hylopetes winstoni), Southeast Asia Northern Idaho ground squirrel (Spermophilus brunneus brunneus), North America New Mexico least chipmunk (Tamias minimus atristriatus), North America Hidden forest chipmunk (Tamias umbrinus sedulus), North America Mount Graham red squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus grahamensis), North America Vincent’s bush squirrel (Paraxerus vincenti), Africa • Endangered Nelson’s antelope ground squirrel (Ammosphermophilus nelsoni), North America Mexican prairie dog (Cynomys mexicanus), North America Woolly flying squirrel (Eupetaurus cinereus), South Asia Particolored flying squirrel (Hylopetes alboniger), South Asia Sipora flying squirrel (Hylopetes sipora), Southeast Asia Vancouver Island marmot (Marmota vancouverensis), North America Northern Palawan tree squirrel (Sundasciurus juvencus), Southeast Asia Complex toothed flying squirrel (Trogopterus xanthipes), North Asia Prince of Wales flying squirrel (Glaucomys sabrinus griseifrons), North America Idaho ground squirrel (Spermophilus brunneus), North America • Vulnerable Irrawady squirrel (Callosciurus pygerythrus), Southeast Asia Anderson’s squirrel (Callosciurus quinquestriatus), Southeast Asia Carruther’s mountain squirrel (Funisciurus carruthersi), Africa Carolina northern flying squirrel (Glaucomys sabrinus coloratus), North America Virginia northern flying squirrel (Glaucomys sabrinus fuscus), North America Montane long-nosed squirrel (Hyosciurus heinrichi), Southeast Asia Lowland long-nosed squirrel (Hyosciurus ileile), Southeast Asia Mentawi flying squirrel (Iomys sipora), Southeast Asia Four-striped ground squirrel (Lariscus hosei), Southeast Asia Menzbier’s marmot (Marmota menzbieri), North Asia African pygmy squirrel (Myosciurus pumilio), Africa Cooper’s mountain squirrel (Paraxerus cooperi), Africa Red bush squirrel (Paraxerus palliatus), Africa Swynnerton’s bush squirrel (Paraxerus vexillarius), Africa Small Travancore flying squirrel (Petinomys fuscocapillus fuscocapillus), South Asia Secretive dwarf squirrel (Prosciurillus abstrusus), Southeast Asia Indian giant squirrel (Ratufa indica), South Asia Grizzled giant squirrel (Ratufa macroura), South Asia Forrest’s rock squirrel (Sciurotamias forresti), South Asia Southern Idaho ground squirrel (Spermophilus brunneus endemicus), North America [44.197.251.102] Project MUSE (2024-03-19 06:20 GMT) tion logging roads increase the ease with which predators can travel from place to place. The Canadian government has taken action to protect the Vancouver Island marmot, first listing it as threatened in 1979. A recovery team was established in 1988, and an official recovery program was started in 1993. The recovery of the Vancouver Island marmot is a multilayered process that includes captive breeding programs, reintroductions, population monitoring, ongoing research, habitat protection and manipulation, contingency plans (in case of environmental catastrophe), fundraising, and public communication . The Canadian government even named May 1, “Marmot Day,” with the idea that the endangered marmot is yelling, “Mayday! Mayday!” or to French Canadians, “M’aidez! M’aidez!” At this time, recovery efforts appear to be successful. Andrew Bryant, a senior researcher for the Marmot Recovery Program, stated that in 2005 the total number of Vancouver Island marmots has...