r/manchester • u/pikkoi • 2d ago

Hurt squirrels in park

Post image

Just found this squirrel in Withworth Park with both his back legs broken. Not sure who can help? Any ideas?

39 Upvotes

88% Upvoted

20 comments sorted by

89

u/pikkoi 2d ago

Update: a Wildlife volunteer has picked the baby up! Thanks for the brainstorming.

35

u/Jamericho 2d ago

Unfortunately it will be euthanised. Releasing a grey squirrel is illegal and carries penalties under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and the Invasive Alien Species Order 2019

31

u/hashbrowneggyolk0520 1d ago

At least the poor thing will be put of the pain it's in, rather than it being prolonged for god knows how long.

11

u/Jamericho 1d ago

Absolutely! I just wanted to let them know at least it wont be suffering. They usually take them to a vets to do it humanely as well so it’s like a deep sleep. The thought of that is far more comforting than a rock to the head definitely.

11

u/hashbrowneggyolk0520 1d ago

I was just glad to see someone give OP some proper information rather than just "hit if with a rock". Joke or not, it's horrible to see people saying. There's absolutely no need for people to encourage prolonging or increasing an animals pain.

I can understand sometimes it's the only option, but more people should be made aware about animal rescue charities and what situations you can use them in, like giving animals a more humane end to life so thank you!!

13

u/pikkoi 1d ago

It's fine, however it goes now it will be better then dragging around for days, and at the very least I didn't have to smash his baby skull with a rock : (

5

u/Jamericho 1d ago

Absolutely, at least you know it isn’t suffering anymore. It wont survive long with broken legs and it could even be a spinal injury 😩

4

u/ChronicallySingle 1d ago

Thank you for trying to help it regardless

-1

u/McFry__ 1d ago

Think it’s about time we accepted squirrels as non invasive

7

u/Jamericho 1d ago

I don’t think that will happen while Red Squirrel re-population efforts are still ongoing unfortunately.

8

u/ZealousidealYam896 2d ago

Bit different but I took a cat that was injured to the vet and they took it from me and didn't charge me or anything. That's an invasive species though so I think they can't rehabilitate them.

12

u/SuperterraneanAlien 2d ago

North West Wildlife Rehabilitation UK - Facebook group. Lots of rehabbers on there

5

u/audigex 1d ago

It’s illegal to rehabilitate and release a grey squirrel in the UK

It would be legal to keep it in captivity, but I don’t think anyone really does that for squirrels

29

u/Early_Tree_8671 2d ago

Genuinely the most humane thing is to kill it, something quick and relatively sharp to break the neck.

It cant be treated and released as it's classed as vermin.

-1

u/Crucion01 2d ago

Sounds rough, but just let nature deal with it. Something will come and have it for dinner.

-13

u/DrFabulous0 2d ago

It sounds harsh, but you're supposed to put it in a bag and bash its skull in with a rock. That's what's recommended as the most humane way. It's an invasive species, it's illegal to release back into the wild.

7

u/dmill2004 1d ago

Surprisingly I don't think the removal of grey squirrels from the center of Manchester will result in the reds coming back... Now why is that?

-6

u/DrFabulous0 1d ago

Nor do I. That's just the official advice.

-7

u/hives-mind 2d ago

if you insist!