1. Public Attitudes Towards Squirrel Management
Mariella Marzano
Mike Dunn
Northern Research Station, Roslin, Midlothian, Scotland, EH25 9SY
28/11/2018

2. RSU Team FR’s roles Research attitudes throughout the UK
Assist engagement and outreach
Knowledge transfer
Evaluation and legacy
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3. 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 Follow up to assess change in 2019
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4. 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
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5. 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

6. 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
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7. …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
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8. Control Methods Non-lethal Lethal Contra- ception
7 control methods (not all feasible, but useful for comparison). Some lethal, some non-lethal.
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9. 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
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10. 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
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11. 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
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12. 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!
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13. 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.
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14. 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).
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15. 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
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