If you come from Europe and own a Siberian chipmunk or a raccoon, unfortunately, you will have to say goodbye to your little friend.
As many as 37 mammals, birds and plants entered the “black list” of invasive alien species. Citizens and authorities of European countries should promptly take steps to get rid of them, reports New Scientist, as these invasive species are indifferent to human boundaries.
If you already have a pet, then the good news is that you don’t have to shoot it right now. The new proposal suggests letting it die from natural causes. As for pet shops and zoos, they have two years to prepare for reduce the numbers they have in captivity.
Each country will independently decide how to deal with animals from the “black list”.
The list includes species, which are common among European countries. For example, species as grey squirrels and Muntjac deer in United Kingdom and raccoons in Germany, and also South American coati, which only reached the Spanish island Majorca.
Also five types of crawfish were added up the list as apparently, they infect rivals with Typhoid Mary.
African sacred ibis and 14 types of plants ended up in the “black list” as well.
Meanwhile, biologists have criticized the selections on the “black list” and consider it misguided. They claim that on the EU actually has about 1,500 invasive species already.