squirrel rampage and what we can do about it

[Gaius Decius Aquilius]

First, I would like to say that I have nothing against squirrels. I am sure that the actions of a few squirrels should not be used to stereotype all squirrels. Some of my best friends are squirrels.

However:
http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/4 ... s_go_nuts/

Clearly, the nurses were victims. As reenactors we can help in two ways. As we know Roman armor, in particular the 1st and 2nd century style helmets and segmentata, as they re a developed design with heavy protection from downward blows, such as acorns thrown from above. The first way we can help is that we can all go to local hospitals and offer assistance as escorts. We can drive the squirrels before us. The second way is to help them help themselves. Instruct hospital personnel in how to acquire their own Italic G and Newstead segemtata, which would be the most effective, and train them on how to form the Testudo. It is time we give back to our communities. I urge you to present yourselves fully armed as soon as you can, to your local hospital and offer your services against ramapaging squirrels.

Gaius Decius Aquilius
Ralph I.

[Magnus]

" The nurse rated the severity of the incident as “moderate” on a scale of “insignificant to catastrophic” in a work accident report log. "

WTF? A squirrel attack is "moderate"...jeez. Apparently this nurse has no ego or pride lol.

[fasta]

As long as the squirrels are US greys, eat them!

We are encouraged to do so here

[Tiberius Clodius Corvinus]

oh tempora oh mores. :roll:
what times we're living in when decent hard-working nurses can't walk any longer safely through our parks!!! It's a shame!

.... but I heard something similiar years ago, when in GB some nicotin-addicted squirrels, having become so by eating stubs, used to to form packs and attack smokers for weeds! hock:

[A_Volpe]

Fasta/John

As long as the squirrels are US greys, eat them!

We are encouraged to do so here

OMG! Too funny! (Good thing squirrels don't come in blue )

Anyway, I worked in Wildlife for a number of years and have heard all sorts of horror stories when small furry animals 'suddenly attack' people.

Part of the problem are people who feed wild animals. I'm not going to say it's "wrong", but what happens is these animals start to figure out that if you approach a human, be it a small one, tall one, big one, or more than one - the human(s) will then feed you every time. The animal starts to get confident that approaching a human at any time will mean a free hand-out, humans become a food-source.

Squirrels being like 5 year olds cranked on sugar will also become very aggressive, because they are fiercely competitive for food sources, especially easy sources, fighting themselves as well as aggressively approaching that source (humans)...The squirrel like any animal who needs to survive, thinks 'must get food now or starve', so figures out quickly the faster / more aggressive they approach the human, the faster the reward of free, easy food.

Us humans, on the other side, suddenly find oneself harrased by (squirrels) for food. And remember, to squirrels it doesn't matter what the human looks like, it's a human, and if they figured out human=food, now we have a problem.

These lil guys are also mammals, and probably learn through association, and once they 'lose their fear of humans', they'll decide to use brazen tactics.

So, feeding squirrels, skunks, raccoons (even worse, as they are smart and can strategize and will have no problem 'attacking' humans for food), deer, bears, coyotes....

Again, I'm not saying people who feed animals are 'wrong' or 'evil' or whatever, but I would rather say reconsider what (you) may be 'teaching' animals when you feed them or that they could become 'dependent' on you for food and could become problematic.

So I'd suggest talk to your area Falconer and see about having them escort you, have their hawk trained to go for squirrel. :twisted: