chipmunk

[vespaboy]

Would a chipmunk survive if released/escaped into the wild in Britain?

Are there any 'colonies' of Chipmunks in the British Isles?

Cheers

[Clanad]

This site says there are 22 species of chipmunks in England...

http://www.geocities.com/thechipmunkcrossing/history.html

[lankeela]

Actually it says 22 species in the wild not in England. They would hibernate and probably not survive in our winter climate. They would also be susceptible to being eaten by bigger animals.

[Clanad]

You may be correct, lankeela, but I read it to indicate that there are... "As the majority (99%) of all chipmunks that you will come across in England are the Siberian Chipmunk species- Eutamias sibiricus, this is the species that I will deal with. It is also the same species as my own pet chipmunks."
But, at any rate, we live in the western U.S., have plenty of chipmunks and the temperatures in the winter get down to -20F to-30F, sometimes for days on end... additionally, all wild animals are at risk of being eaten by larger ones... but the species still manage to survive... in my opinion...

[funnywebsite]

If you have one and thinking of letting it go then please don't. I would think it very cruel to do such a thing. Best to get it rehomed to somebody else.

[CT]

Read something the other day, but now I can't find it. Some Russian? chipmunks escaped from a zoo. They were tracked down and some were shot or captured (danger to native wildlife). Some however were seen by someone when they were out walking one day. They don't expect them to survive the winter, but are checking out that area. If I come across it i'll post a link later.

[Cetti]

It's in my paper today CT, but what is odd is that 30 of them escaped from Wellington Country Park in May! Wonder why it's only just been reported? There are still 4 on the loose and *Defra are rightly asking anyone to catch them dead or alive as we have enough problems with Grey Squirrels, Ruddy Ducks and other escapees upsetting our own delicate ecosystem. Shame really, as they look so cute.

*To give an idea why Defra are so worried 17 Chipmunks were released at an amusement park in Brussels in 1980, they bred in the wild and by 2000 numbered 20,000!

[vespaboy]

The reason for the original question was I keep chipmunks in an outside aviary. If one was to escape I wondered whether it would survive or die.

I would never release one on purpose as I know its illegal.

(The most devastating release to upset the eco system that I can remember was the Americn Crayfish)

[CT]

Found it. Read it in the paper yesterday. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2-1884758,00.htm l
Here's the online version.