Successful eradication of a suburban Pallas’s squirrel Callosciurus erythraeus (Pallas 1779) (Rodentia, Sciuridae) population in Flanders (northern Belgium)

摘要: Despite a growing catalogue of eradication projects, documented successful vertebrate eradications on the mainland remain scarce. Reporting campaigns is crucial to counter pessimism ambitious programmes tackle invasive species and allow conservation practitioners, wildlife managers scientist learn from previous experience. Moreover, there need for basic information effectiveness control methods management strategies that can be used. In this note we report low-tech campaign local population Pallas’s squirrel Callosciurus erythraeus, tree with ecological socio-economic impacts in its range. The was eradicated suburban park about 15 ha using baited mesh wire life traps, five consecutive capture between October 2005 January 2011. Using maximum likelihood estimation catch-effort data calculated initial densities at 3 squirrels ha−1. Although started quickly extent invasion limited, took over 5 years required an estimated investment €200,000 including 1.5 years post-eradication surveying. We provide used eradicate rodent. Critical success factors possible improvements respect specific context case are discussed. Adding list EU concern currently under development could incentive minimise impact continental scale.