Public Attitudes Towards Squirrel Management Mariella Marzano mariella.marzano@forestry.gsi.gov.uk Mike Dunn michael.dunn@forestry.gsi.gov.uk Northern Research Station, Roslin, Midlothian, Scotland, EH25 9SY 28/11/2018

RSU Team FR’s roles Research attitudes throughout the UK Assist engagement and outreach Knowledge transfer Evaluation and legacy 28/11/2018

Public Attitudes What? – Collect data on existing knowledge, beliefs, preferences Why? – Assess how attitudes differ with knowledge, beliefs, age, gender, location etc. and to provide a baseline. How? – Online survey, 30 questions. Descriptive stats and cross tabs. Who? – National sample (n=3758) incl. 5 (4) case study areas (representative in respect of census data) When? – October 2015. Follow up to assess change in 2019 28/11/2018

Values and Awareness Only around 1 in 10 people expressed that they had no interest in seeing squirrels (bottom bar) Although there is clear preference for seeing reds, on the whole people want to see squirrels including greys! (= implications for how we management is perceived). In some areas, e.g. Scotland, the preference for seeing reds is much more pronounced than for the UK as a whole. The countryside is the preferred location to see squirrels, closely followed by local parks, and lastly respondents’ gardens 28/11/2018

Values and Awareness Although many people like the idea of seeing grey squirrels, there’s an understanding that controls may be necessary in some circumstances for example: 1) greys damage local woodland 2) impact reds 3) when the population becomes too big In these cases, typically 50-60% of respondents agree with the need for control, a third are neutral or have no opinion, and only 7-17% disagree controls should be used. Although a substantial proportion of the public like/would like to see grey squirrels, the decision to control their population may be supported/accepted in some circumstances

Controversy? So why do we hear controversy around grey squirrel control? Lack of AWARENESS about the negative impacts of grey? Disapproval of the METHODS used for control A small number of people making a lot of noise? 3 possible reasons for controversy Petition aiming for 2,000 signatures going for 12 months. It’s received 1,043 signatures, and only 5 in the last 2 months, so perhaps controversy is blown out of proportion? Our survey focused on awareness and acceptability of controls 28/11/2018

…Lack of Awareness? Q. I would need to see evidence of impact before supporting any management of squirrels Knowledge of a relationship between red and grey squirrel populations A majority of people agree that they would need evidence before supporting any management of squirrels However, there’s evidence that this evidence/info isn’t being received or digested (fig 2): 22.5% oblivious of any relationship between red and grey populations (this varies regionally, e.g. in Kielder case study area this is only 8%) Also, a lack of awareness about squirrel management (both control and conservation efforts) in respondents area = most people aren’t seeing or recognising impact of these activities (again, varies regionally) So yes, lack of awareness is a problem! 5% of respondents aware of grey squirrel control in their local area 10% of respondents aware of red squirrel conservation in their local area Support for grey squirrel control measures would likely increase with greater awareness of the species’ negative impacts 28/11/2018 28/11/2018

Control Methods Non-lethal Lethal Contra- ception 7 control methods (not all feasible, but useful for comparison). Some lethal, some non-lethal. 28/11/2018

Acceptability of Controls * * L to R = most to least acceptable. None lethal methods are most acceptable. Of all the lethal methods, biological control (i.e. pine marten) – the one with least human involvement – is the most acceptable. Notably, most commonly used methods (capture + destroy, & shooting) aren’t particularly acceptable (only with 31% & 23% of respondents) Humaneness is the most important factor in supporting or opposing control methods, above effectiveness, specificity, cost and safety. Possibility that lethal is thought to be synonymous with inhumane. * Most commonly employed methods 28/11/2018

Determinants of Acceptability Acceptability is highest amongst... Males Older generations Those most closely connected to nature Those most knowledgeable about squirrels Those in localities with red squirrels Consistent with wider literature Most accepting Least accepting 28/11/2018

For example… Areas such as Kielder and Welsh case studies (with greater awareness of reds in local area and greater awareness of control/conservation activities) demonstrate greater acceptability for controls. Case studies of Kielder and Wales demonstrate variation in acceptability 28/11/2018

Q. Trust in relation to the provision of info on squirrel management Trust & Engagement Q. Trust in relation to the provision of info on squirrel management These findings have implications for how we communicate and engage with the public Sources of info regarding the countryside and wildlife: TV (70% of people); Newspapers (39%); Internet (35%); Friends & family (22%); Radio (17%); Magazines & journals (14%); Work (4%); Other (1%) 14% don’t hear about such issues! 28/11/2018

Key Takeaways Substantial number of ‘don’t know’ responses, representing a degree of apathy, uncertainty and people most easily swayed Greater support for control in areas where negative impacts are best recognised (i.e. red squirrel presence). Areas where greys are viewed as an amenity rather than a pest (e.g. urban parks) face a greater challenge in gaining local support. Objection most likely to exist among particular groups – young, female, weak connection to the countryside, little knowledge about squirrels Commonly used methods aren’t particularly acceptable and are likely considered inhumane. Insistence on their use may need to be justified (raising awareness about grey squirrel impacts and explaining/demonstrating how and why these methods are used) Community involvement and ownership is more powerful in changing beliefs than education alone. Knowledge and acceptance may diffuse with effective engagement. 28/11/2018

Next Steps Visiting the case study areas to understand the challenges and aspirations by… Engaging with communities (practitioners, landowners, volunteers etc.) Working to monitor the impact of RSU on peoples experiences, knowledge and attitudes Also, facilitating knowledge exchange (ERG practice note last updated 2007, knowledge fairs). 28/11/2018

Stakeholders (National) Red Sq. Accord Scottish Sq. Groups Existing Funder New/Potential Funders National Media HRH Landowners with Squirrels Other Red Sq. Conservation groups Forestry Commission DEFRA GB Non-Native Species Secretariat George Monbiot Autumn Watch EU Invasive Community Country Specific Agencies CLA Scientific Community Influence NFU Authors/ Writers etc. Animal Rights Different localities have different circumstances and actors = local nuances are important to consider Tourism Landowners Without Sq. General Public Pioneers Interest 28/11/2018