Evaluating Non-Lethal Management Strtegies against Five-Striped Northern Palm Squirrel <i>Funambulus pennantii</i>

There is a need to develop non-lethal strategies to minimize the agricultural impact of the five-striped northern palm squirrel (Funambulus pennantii) under Wildlife Protection regulations. The present study on the management of five-striped northern palm squirrels was conducted in plant nurseries, kitchen gardens, and orchards. The squirrels were found to cause 0.71-5.0% damage to palm (Livistonia chinensis) nursery plants and 1.05-18.4% damage to ber (Ziziphus mauritiana) fruits nearer to trees and nests. Evaluation of various management approaches on the squirrel revealed that the use of nylon net in kitchen garden, aluminum guards on fruit trees, and the use of Neelbo (10%) as repellent along with wheat grains as an alternative food in palm nursery and loquat orchard were found effective and reliable.