The European Group on Biological Conservations held a meeting in Luxembourg to discuss their upcoming strategies for the removal of alien species and protection of native populations. There are five species that the group is particularly concerned about. Among these are the Killer Asian Hornet, which first arrived in France in 2004 through trade transactions and has spread to at least four other European countries. Raccoon dogs are extreme generalists and, following a surge of popularity as pets, has become one of the most relevant disease-carrying animals throughout Europe. The North American Grey Squirrel also poses a threat in the United Kingdom, where they have restricted the native red squirrel population to mere chunks of Scotland and the Isle of Wight.

Invasive species come in all shapes and for many different reasons. It’s interesting that an animal for a time seen as a pet could become a major contributing factor to the spread of diseases, particularly rabies. It’s also strange how an organism so common to the United States, like the grey squirrel, could be a new and foreign threat in a European country. This demonstrates how even extensively developed countries also have complex ecosystems very unique to their geographical location; we shouldn’t be worried about only small, remote places where the species seem exotic, like Madagascar or the Galapagos Islands. All regions are at risk.

Foster, A. (2016, September 22). The Most Invasive Species in Europe That Scientists Are Seriously Worried About. Express Mail. Retrieved November 19, 2016, from http://www.express.co.uk/news/nature/713416/invasive-species-in-Europe-what-most-dangerous-non-native-alien-animals-insects-spread-EU.