You’ve got to love the folks in Edinburgh, Scotland…

WILDLIFE experts have been called in to help prevent grey squirrels gnawing through the cables of the Capital’s Christmas lights.

Worried council bosses have been given advice by the SSPCA on how to prevent a blackout.

The squirrels, which reside in Princes Street Gardens, enjoy even more discarded food than usual during the festive period because of the increase in visitors to the city centre.

But the rodents also enjoy gnawing through cables, which could be a disaster for the city’s stunning festive decorations.

Doreen Graham, of the SSPCA, said experts had advised the city council on how to prevent any squirrel-related blackouts.

She said: “Squirrels seem to like the taste of the cables, but I can’t understand why they aren’t put off by the little electric shocks.

“Because they are rodents, they need to file their teeth down and they do need to chew things.

“What we have told the council to do is, if the cables are suspended, they can put discs round them. Alternatively they can bury the cables or put metal cages round them.

“We have given this advice to the council and we would be interested to see if it actually works because this is the first time we have had to do this.”

Last Boxing Day, squirrels were blamed for causing a house fire in the Capital after they chewed through a cable in the attic.

And check out these comments:

“the obvious solution is to kill squirrels – they’re just rats with fluffy tails”
– Filthy Ned

“Sorry I’m out shooting squirrels with my air gun I bought in the town center. I tried to shoot them in St Andrews Square but people complained about the waste of tax payers money because I was still in my council uniform.

“I was going to point out that the squirrels in question were grey and as such not natural to this country.But on second thoughts,I will stay clear of that can of worms.”
– paul the binman

“Could be the environmentally friendly alternative to tree lights- glowing squirrels!”
– D2

“I’ve been culling on a slightly larger scale using grenades in the meadows, I might have got a few bystanders as well but it’s a small price to pay.”
– Raymond Chimney

“Maybe we should skin them and use them to make our cuddly toys instead of using cats and dogs.”
– Astro Turf

[via the Evening News]

Oh, those crazy squirrels…

ITHACA – A squirrel is to blame for a power outage in the city’s south end and surrounding communities this morning, according to Bob Pass, regional manager for community outreach and development at New York State Electric and Gas.

The squirrel got into NYSEG’s South Hill substation capacitor bank, interrupting service to both the 607 and 608 circuits, leaving more than 2,500 customers without power from 8:30 to 10 a.m., Pass said.

“The squirrel caused considerable damage to our energy-delivery facilities,” he said.

The squirrel did not survive, Pass said.

[via The Ithaca Journal]

Interesting…

I thought at first they had to be some kind of nocturnal bird because some of them flew in from trees fifty+ yards away. I know they’re technically gliding, but you have got to see it to understand why they’re called flying squirrels. They can change direction in air, and they tend to pull up sharply as they approach the tree they’re landing on.

…and be sure to check out their post for pictures of these critters.

[via Innocent Bystanders]

OK, this is killing me. Katie Couric has made I Want Media Inc.’s “2006 Media Person of the Year” list of ten media personalities to vote for.

My question is, why is Katie Couric on the list representing the evening news genre, but not Brian Williams or Charles Gibson (since both have higher ratings)? While there has been a lot of “media buzz” about Katie, there is clearly nothing that justifies a nod for 2006 (even with the blogging). Maybe in 2007, but definitely not in 2006.

If Katie *has* to be on a “media” list for 2006, why not put her up against Rachael Ray (not that we have anything against Rachael) in a perky/peppy category, thus clearing out two spots on the list?

It’s only three months in and Katie Couric & Co. and switching gears yet again on the CBS Evening News in an attempt to boost ratings. The biggest change being the reduction of their “Free Speech” segments, which from what I’ve heard wasn’t all that “free”. If I were an executive at CBS I would sit down and outline a long-term vision instead of throwing everything at the wall and seeing what sticks. But hey, that is too logical, right?

Anyway, enjoy the latest gems from Katie…

“I think the most frustrating part . . . has been trying to come up with something that’s new and different without alienating your core audience. It’s been such a delicate balance, and I think we’ve probably erred on the side of caution a little bit.

“I think some people expect us to change everything right away. And I know it’s hard for me to be patient, but that’s what I’ve had to be.”

…

Some changes have fared better than others. “Free Speech,” a once-daily commentary segment, is airing less frequently after a mixed reception.

[Quotes via The Tennessean]

For the second time in a week squirrels are wreaking havoc in Wisconsin. This time they’re either trying to commit suicide and/or burn down some houses.

Two Rivers, Wisconsin — Residents at 1914 30th St., Two Rivers, got some excitement yesterday evening when a squirrel fell into their chimney and into their lit fireplace, according to Assistant Chief Gary Shavlik of the Two Rivers Fire Department.

The squirrel ran out of the fireplace and ran around the house, Shalik said.

The fire department responded, and the squirrel was caught. Firefighters took the squirrel outside, and noticed it had bloody paws. Wildlife of Wisconsin, an agency that helps wild animals, was called to take care of the squirrel.

There was no fire damage and the squirrel is alive, Shalik added.

[via Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter]

People in the U.K. have all the fun…

The Scottish Squirrel Survey is seeking more volunteers to help with mapping out red squirrel populations.

The survey’s website – which is at www.scottishsquirrelsurvey.co.uk – has more details on how to volunteer and on local groups.

The Highlands are seen as a stronghold for red squirrels, which have suffered decline due to the destruction of their homes, disease and competition from non-native grey squirrels.

Information gathered by the volunteers will help efforts to protect native reds from any incursions by greys.

[Via BBC]

Old news, but we’re wondering if it will happen again this year…

Passers-by were too late to stop the attack by the black squirrels in a village in the far east, which reportedly lasted about a minute.

They are said to have scampered off at the sight of humans, some carrying pieces of flesh.

A pine cone shortage may have led the squirrels to seek other food sources, although scientists are sceptical.

The attack was reported in parkland in the centre of Lazo, a village in the Maritime Territory, and was witnessed by three local people.

A “big” stray dog was nosing about the trees and barking at squirrels hiding in branches overhead when a number of them suddenly descended and attacked, reports say.

“They literally gutted the dog,” local journalist Anastasia Trubitsina told Komsomolskaya Pravda newspaper.

“When they saw the men, they scattered in different directions, taking pieces of their kill away with them.”

Mikhail Tiyunov, a scientist in the region, said it was the first he had ever heard of such an attack.

While squirrels without sources of protein might attack birds’ nests, he said, the idea of them chewing a dog to death was “absurd”.

“If it really happened, things must be pretty bad in our forests,” he added.

Komosmolskaya Pravda notes that in a previous incident this autumn chipmunks terrorised cats in a part of the territory.

A Lazo man who called himself only Mikhalich said there had been “no pine cones at all” in the local forests this year.

“The little beasts are agitated because they have nothing to eat,” he added.

[via BBC -- Thursday, 1 December 2005]

Watch out for the rabid groundhogs…

A groundhog that tried to attack a man and his dog was found near Plainsboro and Petty roads and tested positive for rabies on Nov. 17, according to a press release issued by the Middlesex County Public Health Department.

…

According to the press release, the groundhog was seen chasing a Cranbury resident’s dog when it began acting aggressively toward the homeowner, eventually grabbing the man’s pants. The press release said the homeowner then shot the animal. A Cranbury animal control officer was present during the incident, according to the county Health Department. Health Department officials who would not release the resident’s name.

…

Animals infected with rabies may exhibit unusual behavior and signs including slow movements, increased drooling, aggression, paralysis, difficulty moving, difficulty swallowing, and a sickly appearance.

[via The Cranbury Press]

Squirrels must not like the smell of roasting turkey flesh in Hortonville, Wisconsin…

A squirrel caused an early Thursday afternoon power outage that likely delayed some Thanksgiving meals in Hortonville.

We Energies spokesman Rick White said the rodent entered a substation and caused a short-circuit that claimed its life and tripped the main circuit breaker.

The mishap knocked out power for about 1,200 customers just as many were preparing turkey dinners in electric ovens.

The outage lasted about 70 minutes.

[via Appleton Post-Crescent]