It seems the squirrels in Rockefeller Park in Battery Park City have become particularly aggressive.
According to ABC7, officials told them that the squirrels are going for food and in the process biting and scratching people. In response, Battery Park City Authority has released a community notice announcing that they have received reports of squirrel bites around the Rockefeller Park Playground, and that they are working with the NYC Health Department to address the issue.
The NYC Health Department urges people to not feed or interact with wildlife in parks. They say that:
Squirrels exhibiting aggressive behavior have usually been fed by humans before – and are looking to eat again, or feel threatened.
There are about 70 reported squirrel bites each year to the City of New York, and health department says it is usually because people have been feeding them.
If you need to report an animal bite, be sure to call 311 and report it.
featured image source: istockphoto