Proposal for monitoring the Eastern Grey Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) in Poland

The report presents a nationwide, continuous monitoring program for the invasive eastern grey squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) in Poland, aimed at early detection and prevention of its spread. Monitoring focuses on high-risk areas such as urban parks, deciduous forests near cities, protected areas and border regions. The program includes repeated surveys across seasons using camera traps, field observations, winter nest searches and citizen reports. Grey squirrels pose a serious threat to native fauna, particularly the red squirrel, through competition and disease transmission. Immediate removal of detected individuals, strict enforcement of legal bans, cross-border cooperation and public awareness are emphasized. Effective monitoring combined with rapid response offers a real opportunity to prevent the establishment of this invasive species in Poland.