The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) raised awareness about a non-native squirrel spotted in different areas of Metro Manila.
The agency said on Thursday, April 16, that it has received reports of the Finlayson’s squirrel in the National Capital Region, “from campuses to city parks.”
The Finlayson’s squirrel, or the variable squirrel, is a species of rodent in the family Sciuridae. It is found in Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam.
As its name suggests, the squirrel is variable in color and patterning.
Different subspecies and populations can be partly black, brown, orange-red, cream, or white, with diverse patterns. Typically, the upper side is darker than the underside.
The Finlayson’s squirrel is arboreal and diurnal and feeds on a variety of seeds and fruits.
The DENR said it “has recently been spotted jumping across trees, power lines, and parks around Manila.”
“While interesting to see in urban areas, the Finlayson’s squirrel is not native to the Philippines and may compete with local wildlife if populations grow,” the DENR said.
“The DENR reminds the public that while every wildlife species has inherent value, this squirrel is an invasive species that may threaten local ecosystems, and its presence is not promoted,” it added.
This was not the first time such a phenomenon has been observed in the country.
In 2020, Esquire Philippines reported on squirrel sightings in the NCR, noting that the creatures were “everywhere.”
“They can be spotted around Ayala Alabang, BF Homes, Magallanes, Dasmariñas Village, Forbes Park, BGC, and even as far as some villages in Quezon City,” it previously said.
“The critters can be spotted on treetops (usually narra and acacia trees), on garbage cans, running along electrical wires, and crossing the street,” Esquire added.
The report also noted that a squirrel was spotted chasing a Philippine tarsier, a near-threatened species, in 2013.
Leave a comment