Have You Seen These Squirrels Around Metro Manila? DENR Says That’s a Problem

(SPOT.ph) Metro Manila has plenty of unexpected street sightings, but squirrels are a relatively new one for many residents. You might have seen them sprinting across Meralco power lines, cutting through trees, or popping up in parks. It's all very cute, but here’s the thing: they’re not supposed to be here.

The animal turning up in parts of Metro Manila is called the Finlayson’s squirrel, a species usually found in neighboring Southeast Asian countries such as Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar, according to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Biodiversity Management Bureau (DENR-BMB). In the Philippines, the agency considers it an invasive alien species, meaning it can pose risks to local ecosystems.

“The DENR reminds the public that while every wildlife species has inherent value, this squirrel is an invasive species that may threaten local ecosystems, and its presence is not promoted,” it said in a Facebook post.

Sightings of these squirrels are not exactly new, as they were already seen before the pandemic. In Makati City, Barangay San Lorenzo Chairperson Jose Emmanuel Recto told GMA News that reports have been coming in for more than two years. According to the Makati City Veterinary Office, what was once limited to areas like Dasmariñas and Forbes Park has since reached seven other barangays: Forbes Park, Dasmariñas, Bel-Air, San Lorenzo, Urdaneta, Magallanes, and Pinagkaisahan.

Beyond Metro Manila, the DENR-BMB has also recorded sightings in Cavite, Batangas, Rizal, and Nueva Ecija.

Also read: Why This Giant Moth Is Suddenly Everywhere in Metro Manila

The Finalyson's squirrels did not just wander into Metro Manila by accident. The DENR has pointed to the exotic pet trade as the likely starting point; the working theory is that they were brought into the country, then escaped or were released, and found a way to survive in the city.

That is where the “invasive” part comes in. An animal does not have to look scary or be a physical threat to people to become a problem. Invasive species become a concern because they can multiply in places where they do not naturally belong, compete with local wildlife, damage crops or property, and spread faster than authorities can manage.

Closer to home, residents have even reported squirrels chewing through electrical and internet cables.

That is why the DENR is discouraging people from interacting with them at all. The guidance is straightforward: do not touch them, do not feed them, and most importantly, do not keep them as pets.

“Not good for the environment kaya huwag natin silang i-opportunize, alagaan, or gawin silang mga pets,” DENR-BMB Wildlife Resources Division Chief Anson Tagtag told GMA News, adding that they may pose health risks such as rabies.

Instead, DENR said captured squirrels should be turned over to the agency for “humane disposal.”

“Kailangan matanggal sila dahil they are documented to be detrimental sa ating kapaligiran,” Tagtag said.

Also read: Love to Pet Stray Animals? Take Note of These Dos and Don'ts