Life in the city can be pretty chaotic, that’s for sure.
Recently, a group of squirrels in Manhattan found themselves in a dire situation when a tree was cut down at East Village Park. This sudden change left them scrambling for food and shelter.
Their home at John V. Lindsay East River Park was lost last month due to ongoing coastal resilience efforts. This left the squirrels trapped in areas surrounded by construction, with little chance of finding sustenance or a safe place to stay.
Michelle Ashkin, who heads Urban Wildlife, expressed her concern, saying, “For a creature that typically relies on its environment, it’s pretty much a death sentence.” She organized a meeting with local officials, activists, and residents who were understandably upset.
“They’ll face starvation and stress. There isn’t any food, water, or shelter,” she added. “People in the city really care about these squirrels. No one wants to see them suffer due to human oversight or poor planning.”
A spokesperson from the city’s Department of Design and Construction indicated that a licensed animal control service has been humanely trapping squirrels at the site since last week as a precaution.
They mentioned that traps will stay until all squirrels are captured or moved. So far, 14 squirrels have been caught and are set to be taken to the Wildlife Freedom Foundation.
According to city officials, the reconstruction of East River Park is part of a significant $1.45 billion project aimed at enhancing flood protection. More than 100,000 residents are expected to benefit from this upgrade against rising sea levels and flooding.
Additionally, over 1,800 new trees will be planted when the project concludes, with more than 1,000 more in nearby communities.
Ashkin described the resolution of the situation as the “best case scenario,” though she worried that it only came about due to public outcry, including involvement from the city’s Wildlife Alliance.
Anthony Donovan, a longtime East Village resident, shared that he filed complaints about the situation last month. He noted calls were also made to both the parks department and the NYPD.
“They removed the last bit of shelter available to these squirrels, and honestly, that feels like a crime,” said Donovan, who works as a hospice nurse. “For them, this feels like being trapped. We used to have trees; now it’s all concrete.”
It seems many New Yorkers feel the same way. “I just don’t understand why they’re messing with the squirrels’ home,” said 28-year-old Gregory Venable. Another resident, Marianni Cuero Batista, remarked on wondering where the squirrels would go now.
Activists pointed out that this situation brings to light broader issues regarding how city projects affect local wildlife.
Ashkin also highlighted that the environmental impact statement related to this project failed to address the squirrels’ plight.
The assessment seemed to focus on more common species, neglecting specific wildlife needs. According to Ashkin, squirrels have nowhere to escape to when surrounded by construction or barren lands.
“We need environmental impact assessments that genuinely consider wildlife,” she argued. “It seems like the right experts weren’t consulted on these issues. We should provide safe exits for wildlife amidst construction.”
She hopes this incident serves as a lesson for future urban planning to better safeguard wildlife in New York. With trees disappearing, the fear is that these squirrels will struggle to survive.
“We must incorporate wildlife safety in our future projects. It should be precise and tailored to the area,” she emphasized. “Wildlife shouldn’t be treated as collateral damage.”
