Invasive Squirrels Cause Infrastructure Damage and Liver Health Risks
The city of Lujan, located in the province of Buenos Aires, Argentina, is facing an invasion of thousands of red-bellied squirrels that are multiplying uncontrollably. The population of 1012 squirrels, which were imported from Belgium in 1970 with the aim of enriching natural areas, has now exceeded 100,000 in Lujan alone. This invasive species of Asian origin is causing major chaos in the region, leading to everything from power outages and agricultural damage, to serious health risks and environmental threats.
Florencia Gomez, the Secretary of Environmental Policy for Natural Resources at the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development, highlighted the health risks posed by animals.
It has been noted that squirrels carry the leptospirosis bacteria, which can be transmitted through the urine of infected animals, contaminated water, soil, or food, and can lead to kidney and liver failure, even death.
Moreover, squirrels inflict significant damage on infrastructure by gnawing on electrical wires and irrigation systems. These creatures, already causing power outages in areas like Escobar and Loma Verde, also pose a threat to agricultural products and the local ecosystem.
The red-bellied squirrels, which have been added to the list of invasive and non-native species prepared by the Ministry of Environment under the leadership of Juan Cabandie, have been registered in the National Invasive Alien Species Information System.
According to the report, this species is not confined to Lujan, but has also spread to numerous locations including provinces such as Cordoba, Mendoza, and Santa Fe, as well as settlements like San Miguel, Escobar, Moreno, and Merlo.
Authorities are cautioning against touching these diurnal creatures, which are often not perceived as a threat by the public due to their 'attractive' appearance, and strongly advising against trying to keep them as pets. They are urging citizens who spot these squirrels to promptly report them to local environmental authorities or the Ministry of Environment.
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