If you think there are a lot of squirrels on campus this year, you’re right. That’s because the eastern fox squirrels arrived a couple of years ago and their numbers have boomed, pushing out native squirrels, damaging trees and potentially causing other problems (apparently, like rats, they like to chew electrical wiring).

Campus wildlife researchers are working with grounds staff on a plan to control the squirrels by trapping them and giving them birth-control shots. Phase 1 of the plan — trapping and releasing the animals, to see if it affects their behavior — goes into effect this month.

For more, plus a spiffy video by Sylvia Wright, here.