Rhodo, a pretty big problem

SCARCELY a week passes without news of yet another invasive species, plant or animal, reaching our shores.

A yellow-bellied slider turtle recently turned up in the tidal waters of the River Maigue, at Adare, Co Limerick. It is native to the South Eastern United States, Florida and Virginia, but may have been brought here as a pet.

We also have firm warnings that our native red squirrel and pygmy shrew are in grave danger from stronger and more aggressive cousins which have been introduced and are currently rampant here.