No new sightings in hunt for invasive squirrel

The hunt is still on for an invasive stowaway grey squirrel that ended up in Guernsey, with no sightings for nearly a week, the island's government has said.

The States said "efforts are ongoing to try and retrieve" the squirrel alive in humane trap.

It was first spotted in February and is thought to have travelled to the island "via a vehicle".

Residents were asked not to put out food for the non-native squirrel, named Elvis, as it would delay efforts to capture it and "safely return it to a more familiar environment in the company of its own species".

Grey squirrels spread rapidly in the UK after they were introduced in the 19th Century, but Guernsey does not have an established population of the species.

The States confirmed it had been in touch with a squirrel sanctuary in the UK which is willing to give it a home and other animal rescue organisations have also offered support.

"It is looking hopeful that it might be able to be safely returned to a more suitable environment," the States said, confirming there had been no sightings since Friday.

Anyone who spots the squirrel was asked not to approach it as this could scare Elvis away.

The States asked them to contact Guernsey Pest Management instead.

Paul Allum, who runs Hitchin Squirrel Rescue in the UK, offered to look after Elvis if it is captured.

He said the animal would have to stay in a large enclosure outside as squirrels were "classed as invasive species and it is against the law to release them".

Judging by pictures, he said Elvis appeared to be healthy and guessed it could be "a last August baby".

"It doesn't look too old," he said.

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