FROM THE BBC WILDLIFE ARCHIVE: November 1975

Here to stay

In the November 1975 issue of Wildlife, Adrian Dubock discusses the grey squirrel’s reputed destructive image: “The inveterate visualisation of the grey squirrel is as a brash invader from America which has driven the truly British, gentlemanly red squirrel from our shores,” he states. “Whereas red squirrels are known to be evocative, harmless creatures, the grey squirrel is a destructive ‘tree rat’ which, if only the pine marten was encouraged to extend its range, could be controlled.” He concludes, “The grey squirrel is here to stay, whether we like it or not.”