Berkeley to kill squirrels, gophers at Cesar Chavez Park

[alp227]

Source: San Francisco Chronicle

The chubby, whiskery ground squirrels that scurry over the Berkeley waterfront might be cute to some, but to Berkeley city officials, they're a burrowing menace that must be stopped.

The city has hired a pest control company to trap and kill the ground squirrels and western pocket gophers that live at Cesar Chavez Park, a former landfill near the Berkeley Marina. The process will begin with a 1-acre pilot project, then, if successful, expand to the rest of the 90-acre park.

The reason for the death sentence, according to city staff: The squirrels and gophers burrow into the landfill, which holds an estimated 1.9 million tons of residential, industrial and commercial waste. The burrowing erodes the landfill cover and causes toxins to leach into San Francisco Bay. Also, in 2009, the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board ordered the city to reduce the squirrel population.

"The squirrels dig holes, then dogs chase the squirrels and make the holes bigger," said Berkeley city spokesman Matthai Chakko. "The problem is they might be threatening the water quality."

Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Berkeley-to-kill-squirrels-gophers-at-Cesar-5246274.php

[madville]

1. I have a bunch of large oak trees

Loaded with squirrels. My neighbor comes over and shoots some occasionally, him and his kids love eating them, I always turn down the offer for dinner, never been a tree rat fan.

[NV Whino]

4. These are ground squirrels

A whole different ball game from tree rats.

[L0oniX]

2. Call the cops ...they will come and shoot them ...they are park terrorists and they are nuts.

You think I am kidding?



Jody Putnam Kicked Off Police Force After Shooting Squirrel At Dollar Store

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/10/21/jody-putnam-police-cop-squirrel-shooting_n_4136986.html

[Auggie]

3. Owl boxes and raptor perches

[Throd]

5. Si se muere!

[Politicalboi]

6. If only the poor squirrels worked for

Duke industry, they would just get a slap on their paws.

Of all things to be worried about. Poor squirrels and pocket gophers.

[Maynar]

7. Gophers?

[Initech]

8. Why don't they just get the dogs from Up?