Overview
- The footage, obtained by The Telegraph on Tuesday, shows a grey squirrel in Brixton holding a discarded e-cigarette and nibbling the tip, prompting an RSPCA alert.
- Wildlife scientists say fruity flavors from vape liquid draw animals to the devices, which can expose them to nicotine, plastics and lithium batteries.
- Verification specialists at VerifyLabs.AI told Metro the viral images are likely authentic and not AI-generated.
- The UK banned sales of single-use vapes in June 2025, yet redesigned rechargeable models and widespread litter mean discarded devices remain common in parks.
- The Veterinary Poisons Information Service reports 680 pet exposure calls since 2017, and animal groups cite earlier cases of wildlife harm while urging people to bin and recycle vapes.