Hello Squirrel Lovers
I have a squirrel tribe, I have several regular squirrels that have been in my life for over 5 years.
I feed them quality food, they know this is Mom's Safe Zone to eat each am, go on with their adventures.
About 10 months ago, I was at my garbage bin, to see a " part" of a squirrel, set on top of a closed bin.
At first I thought it was a rotting raw steak. I got closer, I screamed. It was a Squirrel's body.
I swear it looked like someone put it on a meat slicer, that it was a slice, from head to toe, bones and all, about an inch wide.
I could see in the slice, the squirrels gums, a tooth
Yes, like a steak, or a agate rock slice. It was pure horror to think what this poor baby went through.
DID a human do this? how could this happen. Fast forward, My visiting babies have not ever showed " illness" or visual severe injuries.
For months now, I am seeing more and more squirrels suffering from huge gouges, lacerations, their tails completely stripped of all hair.
Open bleeding wounds around their necks, spines, top of heads. It seems to be ongoing.
I have at this point probably six squirrels, that their tails are nearly hairless. Squirrels who I've cared for for years.
I am in a more country setting, however I am surrounded by small town business, a lot of road traffic.
People have been buying up the 900 foot square 80 yr old homes, stripping all trees, all nature to put in monster houses.
I know this has a cause and effect.
I also live about 70 yards from a river bed. It's lined with huge tall trees, it's about 4 miles long.
HAWK Country. My squirrels have their nests along the river bed, both sides, you can see their Condo's.
How could hawks strip a squirrel's tail hair from spine to end, leaving no hair behind.
the attacks to the back, hawks, big birds is a logical cause. Their wounds are deep, I am not seeing punctures.
I am seeing fur completely striped off their backs, huge areas of fur right down to the flesh missing.
Anyone seen this? is this a disease, disorder, do I have Squirrel Madman in my neighborhood torturing Squirrels.
Any help, thoughts, suggestions are greatly appreciated. I pray everyday for them. That No other squirrels are effected.
Last add, my regulars who are usually plucky, happy, running my yard, playing on their Maple tree, " home base"
Seem traumatized, scared, unlike their normal selves.
Thank you for all the support you offer the Furs and people who care.
Chucka Mom