Francis Quang-Hai Dinh spent his first summer at McGill University exploring Montreal’s parks on his bicycle, tracking down squirrels. He visited nearly 200 green spaces from Mirabel to Saint-Bruno, documenting over 800 grey and black squirrels. What began as a university assignment evolved into a personal project to understand how the city’s geography and waterways influence evolution.

Dinh developed a fascination for squirrels after closely observing them, realizing their significance as wildlife rather than mere pests. Due to limited transportation options in suburban areas, he relied on his bike to conduct manual surveys of squirrels in each park, making him the sole researcher known to have done so across the region.

The study revealed that approximately 12% of squirrels in Montreal are black, with higher proportions of black squirrels found in northern areas. In regions just north of Laval, up to 40% of squirrels were black, compared to 20% on the island of Laval, 15% on the island of Montreal, and only 2-3% on the south shore of Montreal. The distribution was attributed to temperature variations, with black squirrels thriving in cooler climates due to their superior heat-absorbing black coloration.

Additionally, the study highlighted the role of forest cover in squirrel populations, noting that denser tree canopies provide better camouflage for black squirrels against darker backgrounds. The research, led by Allison Roth, an assistant professor at the University of Missouri, emphasized using squirrels as a model to examine how urban environments drive evolutionary changes.

Roth underscored the unique environmental variations present in cities like Montreal, shaped by factors such as diverse neighborhoods, varying tree cover, and natural boundaries like waterways. The study differentiated itself by focusing on neighborhood-specific wildlife changes rather than broad urban-rural comparisons.

Contrary to previous beliefs attributing wildlife changes solely to human development, the research indicated that urbanization, temperature fluctuations, and vegetation alterations play pivotal roles. The study’s findings, published as part of a special feature by ecology journals, contribute to understanding evolutionary processes in urban settings.

Reflecting on his experience, Dinh noted a shift in his perspective towards wildlife, emphasizing the coexistence of nature and urban landscapes. He highlighted the resilience of wildlife amidst urban modifications, challenging the notion of a strict divide between city life and nature.