GENOVA - Italy is waging war on a group of American invaders
that are threatening the existence of their European peers.
American grey squirrels, which were first introduced into Europe
in 1948, have thrived in the parks of the northeastern region of
Liguria since the 1960s. With 10-inch-long bodies, equally long
tails and a weight that can reach 21 oz., American grey
squirrels are bigger than European red squirrels. These strong
Americans invaders steal the Europeans food and carry diseases
that are lethal to locals. To defend the indigenous squirrel
population, Liguria, Piemonte and Lombardia regions, as well as
the Italian Environment ministry, have launched a project aimed
at uprooting the estimated 300 American grey squirrels living in
the Levante Genovese Park. The cost of the war against American
squirrels nearly 2 million euros is partially covered by the
European Union. This squirrel war has its general, Andrea
Balduzzi, a professor of natural sciences at the University of
Genoa. At dawn, the profess