DeepSummary
The podcast explores the history of how squirrels were intentionally introduced into American cities in the 19th century. Originally seen as exotic pets or zoo animals, squirrels struggled to survive in the early urban environments without nut-bearing trees. However, the creation of large urban parks like Central Park in the 1870s, designed to mimic natural landscapes with oak trees and acorns, allowed squirrel populations to thrive.
As squirrels became ubiquitous in cities, people embraced feeding them as part of the "more than human community" model, welcoming peaceful animals into urban spaces. But this led to overpopulation issues, with squirrels causing millions in power outages by chewing through electrical lines. In recent decades, the ecological model promoting balanced predator-prey relationships has taken over, reintroducing predators like hawks while discouraging squirrel feeding.
The episode culminates in discussing a major biological census attempting the first-ever scientific count of the total squirrel population in Central Park in 2018. Capturing this basic data point highlights society's historic blind spot towards these common urban dwellers, even as they impact our daily lives.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- Squirrels were purposefully introduced to American cities like New York and Philadelphia in the 19th century as exotic animals
- Early squirrel populations struggled until large urban parks with nut-bearing trees like Central Park were created
- Humans fed squirrels extensively under the "more than human community" attitude of welcoming peaceful urban wildlife
- Overpopulation led to millions in damages from squirrels chewing power lines and causing outages
- Modern urban wildlife management aims for balanced ecological predator-prey populations instead of feeding
- The first scientific census attempting to count New York's total squirrel population occurred in 2018
- Despite being ubiquitous, basic squirrel population data was lacking due to societal blind spot towards common urban fauna
- Debates continue around feeding squirrels, some viewing it as immoral interference, others seeing it as virtuous
Top Episodes Quotes
- “The parks are not nature. They're an artificial situation. We are part of their environment. You can't change that.“ by Unnamed speaker
- “Up until the early 20th century, the dominant way of understanding the proper relationship between humans and animals in the city is centered on charity. It's centered on the idea that humans have an obligation, a responsibility, to create a friendly, welcoming environment for certain kinds of animals to flourish.“ by Etienne Benson
- “And then we find out that it was a squirrel.“ by Joseph Sangimino
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Episode Information
99% Invisible
Roman Mars
5/28/24