❓ A parliamentary question addresses the capture and potential spread of Indian Palm Squirrels in WA, focusing on their impact on native flora, fauna, and agriculture. The Minister's response details control measures and risk assessments.
AnsweredQoN 406Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
(1) Is the Minister aware of the capture of an Indian Palm Squirrel at Forrestdale, as reported in the 3 to 9 October 2000 edition of the Southern Gazette?
(2) Is the Minister aware of the further spread of this alien species beyond its claimed 30 square kilometer suburban home radius centered on the South Perth Zoo?
(3) If yes, will the Minister provide details of this species further expansion in range?
(4) If this species is able to adapt to living in native bushland, what impact on native flora and fauna is expected?
(5) Is this species considered to be a risk to the natural environment of Western Australia and if not, why not?
(6) If yes, what actions will be taken to control or eradicate this foreign species from Western Australia?
(2) Is the Minister aware of the further spread of this alien species beyond its claimed 30 square kilometer suburban home radius centered on the South Perth Zoo?
(3) If yes, will the Minister provide details of this species further expansion in range?
(4) If this species is able to adapt to living in native bushland, what impact on native flora and fauna is expected?
(5) Is this species considered to be a risk to the natural environment of Western Australia and if not, why not?
(6) If yes, what actions will be taken to control or eradicate this foreign species from Western Australia?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
21 August 2001
Responded by
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
Response time
56 days
1.
The Department of Agriculture responded to an incident which occurred at Carey College in Wright Road Forrestdale. The reported sighting was confirmed and the animal was humanely captured and destroyed. Further surveillance failed to find any other individuals. It is suspected that this individual was relocated inadvertently from the known population in the vicinity of the Perth Zoo.
2.
Occasional reports are received of Indian Palm Squirrels beyond the current known range. These reports are not considered to represent further natural spread of the species, but appear to be a result of human-assisted relocations. Reports have been received of an increase in the density of the squirrel population at Royal Perth Golf Course.
3.
There have been a number of incidents of Indian Palm Squirrels being detected outside their current range. All are believed to have been accidental relocations from the known population and all have been destroyed. In the early 1990s an individual squirrel was relocated to a property in Dowerin by a golfer after visiting Royal Perth Golf Course. Prior to this, two were trapped and destroyed at Kelmscott, one was destroyed at a house in Bicton and another at the South Perth Department of Agriculture site. A recent unsubstantiated report implies that there may be a person(s) capturing Palm Squirrels and attempting to relocate them to other States or overseas. People detected holding or relocating these animals face prosecution under the
Declared Animal Regulations 1985
of the
Agriculture and Related Resources Protection Act 1976.
4.
It is understood that the species is restricted to urban areas where preferred habitat exists. They are closely linked with exotic plant species particularly large fruiting trees such as date palms, cape lilac, moreton bay fig, flame trees, pines and palms. Most native trees such as eucalypts and acacias do not provide suitable food. In their native range in India, their diet includes bird eggs, meaning that squirrels are likely to pose a threat to bird species nesting in urban areas. The species is declared under the
Agriculture and Related Resources Protection Act 1976,
because they pose a risk to agricultural enterprises such as vine and fruit crops and possibly market gardens.
5.
The species is not considered a threat to the wider natural environment in WA due to the less-than-ideal food sources available outside urban areas, the general unsuitable climate, and because squirrels usually live in close proximity to humans. This is further supported by their failure to become established beyond the current known range, despite their presence in this State for more than a century.
6.
Current surveillance and control operations are considered to be sufficient to restrict the species to its present range.
The Department of Agriculture responded to an incident which occurred at Carey College in Wright Road Forrestdale. The reported sighting was confirmed and the animal was humanely captured and destroyed. Further surveillance failed to find any other individuals. It is suspected that this individual was relocated inadvertently from the known population in the vicinity of the Perth Zoo.
2.
Occasional reports are received of Indian Palm Squirrels beyond the current known range. These reports are not considered to represent further natural spread of the species, but appear to be a result of human-assisted relocations. Reports have been received of an increase in the density of the squirrel population at Royal Perth Golf Course.
3.
There have been a number of incidents of Indian Palm Squirrels being detected outside their current range. All are believed to have been accidental relocations from the known population and all have been destroyed. In the early 1990s an individual squirrel was relocated to a property in Dowerin by a golfer after visiting Royal Perth Golf Course. Prior to this, two were trapped and destroyed at Kelmscott, one was destroyed at a house in Bicton and another at the South Perth Department of Agriculture site. A recent unsubstantiated report implies that there may be a person(s) capturing Palm Squirrels and attempting to relocate them to other States or overseas. People detected holding or relocating these animals face prosecution under the
Declared Animal Regulations 1985
of the
Agriculture and Related Resources Protection Act 1976.
4.
It is understood that the species is restricted to urban areas where preferred habitat exists. They are closely linked with exotic plant species particularly large fruiting trees such as date palms, cape lilac, moreton bay fig, flame trees, pines and palms. Most native trees such as eucalypts and acacias do not provide suitable food. In their native range in India, their diet includes bird eggs, meaning that squirrels are likely to pose a threat to bird species nesting in urban areas. The species is declared under the
Agriculture and Related Resources Protection Act 1976,
because they pose a risk to agricultural enterprises such as vine and fruit crops and possibly market gardens.
5.
The species is not considered a threat to the wider natural environment in WA due to the less-than-ideal food sources available outside urban areas, the general unsuitable climate, and because squirrels usually live in close proximity to humans. This is further supported by their failure to become established beyond the current known range, despite their presence in this State for more than a century.
6.
Current surveillance and control operations are considered to be sufficient to restrict the species to its present range.
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