It’s not just your imagination: there’s been an increase in the squirrel population in the Salt Lake Valley.
Around a decade ago, a non-native species, the Fox Squirrel, arrived in Utah. It’s hard to say exactly how they got here, but their population has since exploded. It’s a cute infestation, to be sure, but there are also reasons for concern – from the potential impact to native Red Squirrels and to bird habitat, to the damage the squirrels can do to property and even to the power infrastructure. Today on “In the Hive,” we’ll hear from a mammalogist studying the furry invasion and we’ll learn about the citizen science project that is documenting the distribution of this new-to-Utah species.
Plus, if you’ve wondered why blue paint has been showing up on tree cavities around the city, we’ve got you covered.
Guests:
Eric Rickart, Curator of Vertebrate Zoology with the Natural History Museum of Utah
Brad Sorensen, Urban Supervisor with the Salt Lake City Mosquito Abatement District
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