The gray squirrel, introduced into local woodlands ten years ago, threatens the indigenous population of an endangered owl species, because the squirrels' habitual stripping of tree bark destroys the trees in which the owls nest  Some local officials have advocated setting out poison for the gray squirrels
The officials argue that this measure, while eliminating the squirrels, would pose no threat to the owl population, since the poison would be placed in containers accessible only to squirrels and other rodents
No indigenous population of any other bird species apart from the endangered owls is threatened by the gray squirrels.