HARRY MEAD suggests that the vulnerability of native British species to alien competition is a sign of their inferiority (Echo, May 17).
Not so. It is, in fact, a well known feature of all island-dwelling species, whether you are talking of the unique marsupial population of Australia, or the tuatara reptiles of New Zealand which are the sole survivors of a family that flourished long before the dinosaurs, or the extraordinary groundnesting birds of Hawaii which have now been devastated or indeed exterminated by imported rats (inadvertently) and mongooses (deliberately).
As for the crash in our native red squirrel population, it’s not due to any inherent factor but to the wanton stupidity of the people who released the alien greys. The grey squirrel is an intruder that has done immense harm to such characteristically British species as the song thrush and the hazel tree.
In fact, the introduction of alien species where they do not belong is one of the main causes of the current global extinction crisis.
Tony Kelly, Crook
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here