Elvis the stowaway squirrel 'still alive'

A stowaway squirrel is believed to be alive and well - more than a year after the animal was feared to be either dead or captured after suddenly appearing in Guernsey.

The Guernsey Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (GSPCA) said it had received "multiple reports" of the grey squirrel, dubbed Elvis, around the St Sampson area in recent days.

Elvis is believed to have arrived in Guernsey - which does not have a native squirrel population - via a vehicle in February 2025, but GSPCA manager Steve Byrne said it was "highly likely" something had happened to him.

But recent sightings suggest the squirrel is "healthy, active and extremely fast", the GSPCA said in its latest update.

Byrne said: "After a long period without any reports, many people wondered what had happened to him, so it has been amazing to receive several sightings over the last week from around St Sampson.

"Everyone reporting him has said he looks very healthy and is incredibly fast.

"As far as we are aware, Elvis remains the first and only squirrel to live wild in Guernsey, certainly in living memory."

Guernsey does not have a native squirrel population, largely due to the lack of woodland needed to sustain them.

As grey squirrels are classed as an invasive species, authorities are legally unable to release them into the wild if captured.

Byrne said Elvis is now a "a local celebrity", adding it is "remarkable that after all this time he continues to evade capture and appears to be doing so well".

Anyone who spots the squirrel can report their sighting to the GSPCA with as much detail as possible, including the location, date, time and a photograph.

Follow BBC Guernsey on X and Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to channel.islands@bbc.co.uk.