What should I do if the gray mouse invades the UK?British government: Give them contraceptives

Jimu News reporter Zhang Yang

On July 11, local time, the Guardian article pointed out that British scientists are currently developing a kind of contraceptive pill specifically for squirrels to control the huge number of local gray squirrels. It is reported that the gray squirrel is actually an invasive species. At present, there are about 3 million invasive gray squirrels in the UK.

The gray mouse invaded in the UK

For the United Kingdom, gray pine rat is an out -of -the -art invasion species that was introduced from North America in the 1870s. They bring a series of problems to the local wildlife, the most affected is the endangered red squirrel. The reproduction and adaptability of the gray mouse exceeded the red squirrel. They also carry a disease called squirrel acne, which has no effect on them, but can kill red squirrels.

Gray rats are also a threat to trees. They will destroy the epidermis of broad -leaved tree species including oak trees and wither these trees. These trees are very important in ecological balance, and play an important role in the ecosystems of many other species.

At first, the introduction of gray pine rat was used to decorate luxury homes, which was a kind of ornamental species. Later, people realized that they had harm to the environment and prohibited them from the introduction of them in the 1930s.

British scientists have been trying to find ways to reduce the number of gray squirrels. Now the British Squirrel Association has released results after testing the interviews of oral contraceptives, thinking that contraceptives can be used to prevent the propagation of gray pine rats. The contraceptive pill was produced by the Dotyle and Fresh Department of Health (APHA) and was conducting further testing to ensure its safety and effectiveness.

In order to prevent other species from intake of drugs, scientists have designed a special feeding device. It has an aggravated door that can block most other wild animals outside, and at the same time allow more than 70%of the local gray squirrels to enter it and eat from it.

British red squirrel

At present, APHA is also testing the method that can prevent red squirrels from entering feeding devices so that contraceptives can be put in areas with two kinds of squirrels at the same time. So far, studies have shown that this purpose can be achieved according to the different weight of red gray pine rat.

The British Environment Minister Richard Biyan said: "Gray squirrel is a kind of invasive species that causes irregular damage in the British villages. These pests are peeled off the bark to destroy the delicate balance of nature and biodiversity, and then destroy it. The broad -leaved forest that we has not yet been formed will weaken our ability to deal with climate change. "

Henderson, chief scientific consultant of the Ministry of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, said: "Family planning can become an effective way to manage wildlife. This research aims to control the number of gray squirrels in an effective, convenient and fatal method. Help the local red squirrels in the UK return to nature, at the same time protect the forest land in the UK and increase biodiversity. "

(Picture source: "Guardian")

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