Posted on 03/23/2006 9:23:42 PM PST by presidio9
British politicians were urged to eat grey squirrels as part of a radical plan to prevent the indigenous red variety of the species from disappearing.
The animal, made famous by the Squirrel Nutkin character in author Beatrix Potter's illustrated children's books, once thrived in Britain but is now battling for survival as imported North American greys run rampant.
The unusual conservation method was proposed during a debate on the subject in Britain's unelected upper chamber, the House of Lords.
Lord Richard Inglewood, the patron of conservation group Red Alert North-West, which works to save red squirrel populations in Potter's native Lake District, said action was needed soon to save Squirrel Nutkin's mates from being wiped out.
"What about celebrity chefs like Jamie Oliver promoting it for school dinners?" he asked.
"Indeed the House (parliamentary) authorities could put it on the menu here.
"I must confess that I have never actually eaten a grey squirrel... but I am prepared to give it a go."
Inglewood said he wanted to invite government agriculture ministers to dinner with grey squirrel on the menu.
He said there was little difference between eating squirrels and the "entirely loveable" other creatures that end up on the dinner plate.
"More importantly it's not only me that's going to feel let down. It's going to be the red squirrels too. Unless something radical and imaginative is done Squirrel Nutkin and his friends are going to be toast," he added.
The grey squirrel was introduced into Britain from North America in the late nineteenth century and has driven out the native red squirrel in many parts of the country.
They are largely responsible for the red squirrel's decline because they are stronger and more adaptable. They also carry the Squirrelpox virus, lethal to reds.
The grey population is thought to number around two million while under 200,000 reds are thought to be left, around three-quarters of them in Scotland.
I knew a guy who ate roadkill squirrels. Not the type to be grossed out by pure mechanics -- I admired him for it.
He was actually a smart, normal guy. Though he played up his Native American heritage, that was annoying, as it was always his excuse for everything both good and bad in his life.
What's wrong with squirrels? In these parts they're considered appetizers : )
Why would anyone want to save any variety of squirrel? That's about like saying "protect the mosquito".
Wipe the little red @#$%!ers out.
Varmints can be quickly controlled by paying a $5.00 bounty on grey squirrel tails to 10 year old boys with pellet guns.
Nobody thinks of the obvious.
I needed a new keyboard anyway.
Shhhhh. They're trying to erase gender over there in England, now. No more 'boys will be boys.'
Been done. I was on a task force considering long term goals for some public land. One bird watcher actually said that the mosquitos were not to be killed off. West Nile was big time in the news then too.
SSS mosquitos?
Or are they banned in Britian also?
My son after a sucessful hunt.
http://photobucket.com/albums/f227/rgrxiniraq/?action=view¤t=DSCF0034.jpg
Because they have less disgusting habits than a chicken and taste better?
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