Grey area

Grey squirrels, which have a life span of up to seven years, are invasive aliens but there are mixed views about whether they should be exterminated. The pro lobby argues that they shouldn’t because their distribution in Cape Town is limited to commercial plantations and urban gardens. The fact that they can’t eat fynbos has curbed their spread across the province. Besides, they are a huge tourist attraction in The Company’s Garden. However, the anti-squirrel lobby says they may be cute and fluffy, but they are pests.