Red squirrels are good swimmers!
At least based on my one experience.
I watched a very awkward duck swim away from my shore from the base of a big tree. When I put my binoculars on it, it turned out to be a red squirrel striking out for a mainland shore about ½-mile away.
To save him from this foolish venture, I grabbed a landing net and launched my kayak. He disappeared from my sight, however, and thought that he had drowned.
Three months later, a red squirrel swam back and climbed the very same tree! All the other "reds" made a big ruckus at this point, and certainly left the impression he was not welcome back!
My relocated reds get released at the dump. So far, no complaints. (But if one lived near a dump, you wouldn't complain about squirrels anyway).
My chipmunk count is now up to two, but the first, "timid", chipmunk continually chases the other one away!
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