Palm squirrels attack houses in Dubai

Residents of several neighbourhoods in Dubai are complaining about an invasion of palm squirrels that have moved from public parks to residential areas. They say the rodents are damaging cable wires and are also attracted to garden flowers and young crops on farms.

The public is calling on the local authorities responsible for public health and environmental protection to find a solution to the fight against squirrels, and hope that the latter will leave their gardens and homestead plots.

Some residents of the villas have tried fighting squirrels with vegetable garden scarecrows, but this has not helped. The municipality provides traps for the rodent-affected population: squirrels are caught and released in the desert, away from residential neighbourhoods.

Sticky traps are another way to control squirrels: however, rodents stuck in them are usually killed. The northern palm squirrel entered the UAE from its native range in West Asia, which includes India, Nepal and Pakistan.

They may have been imported along with pets or cargo. Ras Al Khaimah residents were the first to spot the squirrels, as the rodents caused serious damage to their crops. Farm owners had to resort to the use of pesticides to deter the animals.

Animal rights activists warn the public against breeding squirrels at home. To get rid of their presence, sources of food and water should be removed from the street, bins and all entrances to houses should be securely closed.

They specify that squirrels, like rats, can be carriers of serious diseases. However, unlike rats, palm squirrels tend to be daytime travellers.

Source: Khaleej Times