Ecologist warns against 'alarming' presence of invasive squirrel

MANILA, Philippines — An ecologist warned that the presence of the Finlayson’s squirrel—an invasive species classified by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)—is alarming, noting that its presence competes with native wildlife. This comes after the DENR warned the public following multiple sightings of the non-native squirrel species across Metro Manila, noting that its presence is “not promoted.” In an exclusive interview with The Manila Times on Thursday, Von Eric Tagarino of the University of the Philippines Baguio explained why this was a growing threat. “These squirrels are generalist species. They can feed on a variety of food sources. So they're really survivalists in a sense. So they feed on seeds, fruits, crops, and even bird eggs—which can be concerning,” Tagarino said He added that it directly competed with native species for resources, potentially disrupting local ecosystems.

Go to News Site