Returning a squirrel to the wild

Anyone know if it's legal to do as title says ? Friend of my husband has been looking after a baby squirrel that is now nearly a year old and fit to go back into the wild. But I'm convinced I read somewhere it's illegal to let them free.

It's a dear little thing, and has been gradually prepared to be ready for release, so it's no longer hand tame and friendly with humans. So could make the leap into the adventure of being a wild creature.

Re: Returning a squirrel to the wild

Who is going to know ?
As the police don't seem to worry about investigating real crimes I hardly think they will be tracking released squirrels .
However it's quite a hard time of the year to release one .
It won't have a cache of nuts stored away like other squirrels so may starve

Re: Returning a squirrel to the wild

Hi

If it is a Red, all well and good, if it is a Grey, it is vermin and wiill get blasted.

Re: Returning a squirrel to the wild

Julie, here is the information you need:


http://squirrelaccord.uk/uk-laws.html

I agree with Muddy about not much food about in winter though.

Re: Returning a squirrel to the wild

Is there a wildlife organization that could give your friend tips and guidance on release.

I also agree with what has been said about winter release.

Re: Returning a squirrel to the wild

Towards the end of the link I Posted for Julie, it does say:




"The grey squirrel is regarded as an invasive non-native species following its inclusion under Schedule 9 of the WCA. Grey squirrels are also listed in the IUCN international list of 100 worst invasive non-native species. This highlights the damage that grey squirrels cause to our native flora and fauna; a problem severe enough to be recognised at a level of global significance. As such, the grey squirrel is regarded as a pest species and is afforded no protection under the WCA. Under Schedule 9 of the WCA, it is illegal to release a grey squirrel into the wild, or allow one to escape".



We had one many years ago. My then husband rescued it from a cat when it was a bably. We had 'Sammy' for a few months, but as he grew he became wilder, not tamer.
In the end he bit my husband right through his thumb and nail.
Legal or not, we took him back to the woods where he came from, and released him. Last we saw of him was him scuttling up a tree, looking ecstatic.

Re: Returning a squirrel to the wild

If its a Grey cook it, if its a Red contact your local wildlife trust for help you cant just release a creature that has been in captivity it needs to learn to about the wild before being released.

Re: Returning a squirrel to the wild

The only other option to comply with both the law and the welfare of the animal is to try and place it with some reputable wildlife sanctuary.

Re: Returning a squirrel to the wild

It's a grey we don't have reds down here. I know technically no one would know but chap has aspergers worse than my husband and tends to blurt out things if he does anything wrong. We didn't want him getting in trouble. Good point about winter release though so I think little grey will be in the conservatory a few more weeks. Thanks all.

Re: Returning a squirrel to the wild

They should squirrel them away.