Squirrels pose threat to other Negev rodents

By JPOST.COM STAFF
The Israel Nature and Parks Authority is concerned that the rodent population of the Negev is under threat from the offspring of a pair of squirrels that escaped from an alpaca farm in Mitzpe Ramon. The fugitive pair has bred hundreds of offspring that could spread disease among rodents native to the Negev, such as the jerboa, the gerbil, and the dormouse. Park rangers have been trapping and euthanizing squirrels in an attempt to neutralize the danger.