Movement and mortality of translocated urban-suburban grey squirrels

During summer and autumn of 1994-1997, we determined the movements and mortality of 38 adult male Eastern grey squirrels(Sciurus carolinensis)that had been captured in urban-suburban backyards and translocated to a large forest. The squirrels did not fare well. Squirrels not found dead or classified as ‘probable mortality’ disappeared from the forest with a median time to disappearance of II days. Ninety-seven per cent (37 of 38) of the squirrels either died or disappeared from the release area within 88 days.