2006 & 2005 news archive
2007 news archive
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Local Support, Local Action, Local Success - JOIN ONLINE
Active community support is an essential component in any successful conservation project. We recognised this fact very early in our project, and consequently we established the first red squirrel ‘Friends' group in the UK back in 1999. The 'Friends of the Anglesey Red Squirrels' now has a membership of over 400 people and groups who all share our aim to 'Save Our Squirrels'.
We are therefore very pleased to announce that you can now become a member of the 'Friends' online! Membership and merchandise can now be purchased in our online store
Number of Grey squirrels killed on Anglesey during 2008:- 56
Red squirrels set to return to another historical site - Mar 08
We are delighted to announce that red squirrels will be reintroduced back into an extensive mature broadleaved woodland on the island. The site remains confidential for the time being, but the landowner has agreed to allow red squirrels to be release during the autumn of 2008. Trapping teams are currently working within the site to ensure that grey squirrels are absent, and red squirrel release enclosures will be constructed in the summer months. This is an exciting development, and takes us one step closer to our vision of making Anglesey into one of the largest red squirrel refuge areas in Great Britain. We will update on this news item later in the year.
Suspected squirrel pox outbreak - Hunt is on for grey squirrels- Feb 08
In the light of the recent death of an Anglesey red squirrel from suspected 'squirrel pox' virus, the Anglesey Red Squirrel Project have begun trapping in woodlands adjacent to the Mynydd Llwydirath (Pentraeth) forest. We are keen to hear of any grey squirrel sightings from the island since January of this year. The removal of the last few remaining grey squirrels is now even more important than ever. If you have seen a grey squirrel please let us know either by email or telephone. Please see our contact us page for details.
Suspected squirrel pox outbreak in Pentraeth forest - Feb 08
Seventy four adult red squirrels, including sixteen pregnant females, were caught in Pentraeth forest during mid February. However on Sunday 17th a young female was found showing classic symptoms of the deadly squirrel pox virus. Download the Video
The Pentraeth animal was taken to the Welsh Mountain Zoo at Colwyn Bay where it was given emergency treatment including antibiotics. The antibiotics do not help combat the virus, but they will combat bacterial infection of any skin lesions caused by the virus. Unfortunately the animal died within 24 hours and the body has now been sent for post mortem examination and a series of tests which will be carried out by DEFRA to confirm if the virus was present.
The risk of pox virus is of serious concern, and the Anglesey Red Squirrel Project have taken emergency measures aimed at minimizing the risk of any infection. The disease is carried by grey squirrels and is almost always fatal to the native red squirrel, so it is important that infected animals are found before the disease can progress. Local residents who have red squirrels visiting their garden bird-tables are also keeping a careful watch on the animals.
Webcam Image Archives - 2007 & 2008
Red squirrel advance continues! Jan 08
Eight grey squirrels were caught in January 2008 across the southern broadleaved woodland on Anglesey. These stands were once home to over a thousand grey squirrels, and contained woodlands where bark stripping damage to hardwood tree species was often severe. The area now contains a small pocket of red squirrels which were reintroduced in 2007. We were surprised to catch one adult male some 4km to the west of the release site, in a block of mature oak and Yew woodland. This is the first record of a wild red squirrel in this area since the mid 1980s, and we hope that it is the beginning of a wider recolonisation by this enchanting little animal.
Membership and merchandise can now be purchased from our online store
