The city of Mobile has announced plans to humanely relocate about two dozen squirrels from Bienville Square, citing concerns over overpopulation and damage to the square’s signature live oak trees.
According to a city press release issued earlier this week, roughly 25 squirrels will be moved from the downtown square to a suitable, safe location within Mobile County. The relocation follows growing concerns that the squirrel population had outgrown the small urban green space and was beginning to harm the very oak trees that give the historic square its character.
Bienville Square, bounded by Dauphin, St. Francis, Royal and Conception streets in the heart of downtown Mobile, has long been a gathering spot for lunchtime crowds, festivalgoers and the occasional four-legged local. The stately oaks that shade the benches and the fountain have made it one of the city’s most photographed public spaces.
City officials said the relocation would be carried out humanely, using live traps and working with animal-control staff to move the animals to a more appropriate habitat where they can forage naturally rather than relying on handouts from visitors.
The announcement drew a mix of amusement and mild concern from Mobilians, many of whom have grown accustomed to the square’s resident squirrels. The critters have become something of a downtown fixture, often seen darting between the oaks or eyeing snacks from park benches.
The city encouraged residents to avoid feeding the squirrels, noting that supplemental feeding can accelerate population growth and lead to the kind of overcrowding now prompting the relocation effort. Officials said the goal is to protect both the trees and the long-term health of the squirrel population.
The work is expected to be completed in the coming days, weather permitting, with crews monitoring the square afterward to discourage the animals from returning in large numbers.