It is largely down to the arrival of grey squirrels from America that the native red squirrel is a rare sight in Britain.
But now the grey squirrel, too, is under threat, at least in one corner of London where an aggressive cull is under way to reduce their numbers.
Twitter users were horrified to see pictures of animal traps laid out in the trees of Regent’s Park and on Primrose Hill, designed to catch and kill squirrels.
According to the Royal Parks, who are responsible for eight of the capital’s green spaces, the cull was ordered specifically to stop damage to “ornamental trees”, “horticultural displays” and “nesting birds” and uses “the most humane traps possible”.
However, animal-rights campaigners have responded vociferously, saying the killings
