Once, the rooftops, orchards, and gardens of Bangladesh stirred with the restless energy of squirrels. They darted through mango and jackfruit trees, their striped bodies flickering like quicksilver among the leaves. Children watched in delight as they leapt from branch to branch, while elders placed offerings of rice in clay pots for their tiny guests.
The Indian palm squirrel (Funambulus palmarum), with its three pale stripes and plume-like tail, was more than just a familiar sight. It was a gardener of the wild—scattering seeds, carrying pollen, and sounding alarm calls that rippled through the village fauna. Yet, slowly and silently, these bright-eyed creatures are slipping away. Their absence is not loud or sudden, but like the fading of a season, it unsettles the balance of nature itself.
"Squirrels are sensitive indicators of ecosystem health. If they're declining, it signals that something has gone wrong at the very foundation," laments Dr Tareque Hasan, Wildlife Ecologist at Dhaka University.
Why are the squirrels disappearing?
1. Choking on pollution
Pesticides sprayed on crops and gardens do more than kill pests—they poison food chains. Squirrels, who nibble on fruits, seeds, and even bark, often ingest these toxins directly or accumulate them over time. Meanwhile, air pollution from vehicles and brick kilns has been linked to respiratory stress in small mammals.
2. Loss of trees, loss of homes
Squirrels nest in tree hollows, dense foliage, and even thatched roofs. But with urbanisation and deforestation speeding up across Bangladesh, their habitats are disappearing. Fruit trees are cut down to make room for concrete. Old trees are replaced with fast-growing, non-native species that lack suitable nesting spaces. The few remaining trees are often isolated, pruned, or sprayed with chemicals, making them inhospitable to wildlife.
3. Noise and human disturbance
Construction noise, fireworks, loudspeakers, and unregulated tourism in natural spaces all take a toll. Squirrels are skittish by nature—when stress becomes chronic, their reproductive rates drop, and young fail to survive. Even something as innocent as a curious child chasing a squirrel up a tree can disrupt its feeding or nesting cycle if repeated often enough.
4. Predation and road Accidents
With shrinking green spaces, squirrels are forced to forage on the ground, putting them in the path of feral cats, dogs, and speeding vehicles. Roadkill incidents involving squirrels are quietly increasing across urban fringes.
What can we do—before it's too late?
Individuals
• Plant native trees like jackfruit, mango, banyan, and coconut, species that squirrels prefer.
• Avoid harmful chemicals in your garden. Use natural pesticides or permaculture methods.
• Leave food: Rice grains, fruit peels, or nuts can help squirrels thrive in safe spots.
• Teach children to observe—not chase or catch—wildlife.
Communities & policymakers
• Create urban green corridors with squirrel-friendly trees.
• Include small mammal conservation in biodiversity and forestry policies.
• Install eco-bridges or canopy ropes over roads in squirrel-dense zones.
• Launch public awareness campaigns using schools and media.
A future without squirrels?
Can you imagine a forest without rustling leaves? A morning without tiny feet scampering across your roof? A tree without a nest tucked inside its arms?
The squirrel is not just a symbol of nature—it is a thread in its fabric. If we let that thread break, we risk unraveling the entire tapestry.
So, the next time you see a squirrel, take a moment. Watch it. Protect it. Celebrate it.
Because if we don't, one day our children may ask, "Where have all the squirrels gone?"
Afrina Momotaj is a Climate-Smart Agriculturist and Animal Rescuer. She can be contacted at [email protected]
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