Grey squirrels are an invasive species that requires management for conservation of red squirrels and woodland birds, creating welfare dilemmas around humane control methods.
Grey squirrel management creates genuine welfare dilemmas. Individual grey squirrels are sentient animals capable of suffering. Trapping and killing causes welfare harm to individuals. However, without management, grey squirrels cause the extinction of red squirrel populations and significant woodland damage. Welfare-conscious management requires use of the most humane killing methods available, daily trap checks to minimise confinement suffering, and targeting of control effort to high-impact areas near red squirrel populations. Development of non-lethal fertility control is a priority for reducing the welfare cost of management.