Outbreak of deadly adenovirus - Oct 31st 2007 UPDATE
David Everest of the Veterinary Laboratories Agency (VLA) Weybridge has now very kindly sent us a micrograph image of the adenovirus found in a Newborough red squirrel.
Outbreak of deadly adenovirus - Oct 27th 2007
Scientists at the Veterinary Laboratories Agency (VLA) have confirmed that an Anglesey red squirrel has died after becoming infected with a deadly adenovirus. This is the first case to be documented in Wales and a worrying development in the conservation of one of our most endangered woodland mammals. During September, three red squirrels were found dead over a seven day period. Viral screening has revealed that the first of the animals to be examined was heavily infected with an adenovirus, and although test results are awaited on the two other bodies, it is highly likely that these too will also prove to be positive cases.
Further information on the adenovirus is available for you to download as a PDF file.
Reds Return - Oct 21st 2007
During early October we released eighteen red squirrels into Newborough forest. This followed on from the release of two female reds within our broadleaved reintroduction site. These two young females were bred at the Wildwood Forest Park at Herne Bay, Kent. A few days after they were freed we were sent a fantastic picture of one of our reds visiting the colour webcam. Thank you to David Everest for the image.
Go Nuts for Red Squirrel Week!! - Sept 30th- 8th Oct 2007
Why not join the Friends for a series of exciting and educational events in red squirrel week? This year we are having a series of guided walks and evening talks aimed at raising awareness about the conservation of red squirrels on the island. For further information visit our events page.
The Winds of fortune..part II. - August 21st 2007
On Friday 10th August we cleaned out the red squirrel enclosures in Newborough forest and provided the animals with a supply of Corsican and Radiata pine cones. The following week we discovered that the animals had been eating the seeds within the cones and that the squirrels were quite active in each enclosure. On Thursday, 23rd August, we were delighted to discover that one adult female had produced a second litter of at least three. This particular enclosure now has NINE red squirrels living it!! This, and the discovery of a fourth yougster in another cage, means that we currently have 14 young reds for our release project.
The Winds of fortune... - August 15th 2007
We are grateful to the local landowner who contacted us with the news that they had discoverd a female red squirrel which had fallen in to a drinking trough. The water trough is in a field very near to the eastern edge of Newborough forest, an area known to contain several red squirrels. In the hot August weather, the unfortunate animal had tried to drink from the trough but had fallen in and drowned in about a foot of water. This is an uncommon event, but still one which is well documented for both red and grey squirrels. The death of the female squirrel contrasted with the much more cheerful news that three captive born litters have been weaned so far within the Newborough release cages.
Foot & Mouth - Project puts in place biosecurity measures - August 3rd 2007
The Anglesey Red Squirrel Project have put into effect emergency measures in response to the the outbreak of Foot & Mouth disease in cattle in southern England. Biosecurity protocols are now in place, and we are working closely with landowners and farmers to ensure that everything is done to minimise any risk of potential disease transfer. The Anglesey project is relient upon the good will and assistance of the farming community in our attempts to erdicate grey squirrels from the island, and we will do everything possible to support farmers during this worrying period.
Staff biosecurity protocols follow those specified within the DEFRA Fact Sheet 2 'Biosecurity - preventing the introduction and the spread of foot and mouth disease' and these will be reviewed on a daily basis as further information becomes available from DEFRA.
Minister makes red squirrel conservation a priority for Wales - July 25th 2007
In response to the written question from Ann Jones AM "Will the Minister make a statement on the preservation of the red squirrels in Wales.' [WAQ49172} the Environment Minister gave the following encouraging reply:
Carwyn Jones: The Welsh Assembly Government is fully committed to the preservation of red squirrels in Wales. The Wales Squirrel Forum, made up of statutory, non-statutory organisations and local groups, implements red squirrel conservation in Wales . A Wales red squirrel strategy was produced by the Countryside Council for Wales in 1999 identifying the key geographical areas and highlighting the priorities for action. A review of red squirrel sites in 2000 identified key areas in which to concentrate conservation action. These included the central region Tywi/Irfon/Crychan forest complex, Clocaenog in north Wales and Anglesey. These areas are all primarily commercial woodland plantations, partially or fully managed by Forestry Commission Wales. The red squirrel strategy will shortly be reviewed in the light of more recent survey information. In July 2006, the Anglesey red squirrel project received over £400,000 of funding from GrantScape in order to completely restore red squirrel populations. This re-introduction project is still at a relative early stage but it is anticipated that Anglesey could be a future stronghold for the species.
A Blight on Anglesey Red Squirrels - July 5th 2007
Newborough forest is predominantly planted with Corsican pine, and unfortunately some of the trees are infected by the red band needle blight fungus Dothistroma septosporum. The disease can seriously reduce growth and timber yield, and in severe cases it can cause trees to die. Forest Research have given some UK wide general guidance regarding the use of Corsican pine as a timber crop with a caveat that management prescriptions will evolve in parallel with the results of further research. Unfortunately many of the suggested measures to deal with the fungus could be potentially catastrophic for red squirrels as they involve heavy thinning of the woodland canopy. The guidance is however very general in nature, and assumes that timber production is the primary objective of woodland management. We are currently trying to establish site specific protocols suitable for Newborough forest, as site where the National Assembly has decided that amenity and nature conservation are the main priorities.
Red squirrels in Wales - Saving Planet Earth July 4th 2007
The Anglesey red squirrels have featured on the BBC One 'Saving Planet Earth' series. The program featured local children looking for the elusive little woodland creatures in the Welsh red squirrel stronghold of Newborough forest. Animals were observed using a feed hopper and the children also fed captive red squirrels which form part of the Newborough red squirrel reintroduction project. Finally an adult red squirrel was released into the wild. Why not check out our new red squirrel webcam and catch up with some wild Welsh red squirrels?
Rodent Rage as grey squirrel appears at webcam - June 30th 2007
A cheeking grey squirrel has made a bold visit to the squirrel webcam. The animal was seen to feed at the hopper for about half an hour before dashing off with a large hazel nut in its mouth. The hopper is regularly used by red squirrels and is located near a secret release site in an area of mature broad-leaved woodland. We are now taking urgent action to catch and remove the grey squirrel and will update everyone as soon as we have more news on the little rascal. In the meantime we would ask everyone to keep a sharp eye out when viewing our red squirrel webcam. Update July 6th - after three days of trapping there was no sign of the grey squirrel until this morning when it returned and ransacked the feeder!!
Red squirrel Big Brother - June 16th 2007
After several weeks of waiting, red squirrels are now regularly using the Anglesey Red Squirrel Webcam! The camera is positioned within broadleaved woodland where red squirrels were released in February of this year after the area was cleared of grey squirrels. Anglesey is a pioneering project and is unique in Great Britain. It is the only red squirrel conservation project which seeks to push back the grey squirrel tide and then expand the distribution of red squirrels.
View the Anglesey red squirrel webcam
Anglesey grey squirrels face eradication - June 3rd 2007
Over 7,500 grey squirrels have been culled on the island of Anglesey since 1998. It is now believed that fewer than 100 animals remain and anticipated that these last individuals will be trapped in 2008.
Red squirrel numbers are high in Pentraeth forest, and in 2007 the Newborough forest red squirrel reintroduction project found 40 adult red squirrels in the forest where once over 500 grey squirrels were found. This year, red squirrels have been released into a new location and we have established a squirrel webcam 'the squirrelcam' to monitor these animals.
Records of either red or grey squirrel sightings can be sent to us via our sightings form...
First litter of captive red squirrels born in Newborough - May 2007
The first litter of captive young red squirrels weaned on Tuesday 7th May. Four of the bright orange little animals were seen running around inside the enclosure. Having weaned young in early May, it is very possible that the mother may produce another litter later in the year. This a picture taken in early June this year...
Newborough red squirrels defy deadly virus -May 31st 2007
We are delighted to have discovered that the Newborough red squirrel population which was hit by a deadly virus last year has recovered dramatically.
In December 2006 a wild red squirrel in Newborough forest was discovered to be infected with fatal the ‘squirrel pox virus', a virus which passed to native red squirrels by grey squirrels. The sick red squirrel had developed large open sores on across its skin which are characteristic symtoms of the disease. The animal was rushed for treatment at the Welsh Mountain Zoo, but sadly died after a week of care and treatment with anti-biotics.
Having discovered the disease outbreak in the forest, scientists immediately implemented an emergency plan aimed at halting any further spread of the virus. This involved trapping the woodland and removing several grey squirrels that were caught there. In addition to the trapping operation, all the squirrel nest boxes and wooden feed hoppers in the area were cleaned with anti-viral disinfectant and the wild red squirrel population was monitored for any further signs of disease.
Previous outbreaks of ‘squirrel-pox virus' in Lancashire and in Cumbria have led to the catastrophic collapse of local red squirrel populations. However, in Newborough forest, scientists were delighted to discover over 40 wild red squirrels in May of this year. This included a large number of breeding females and it is now anticipated that the population will reach its highest ever level later in the summer with as many as 80 animals in the forest.
Dr Craig Shuttleworth, woodland ecologist at Menter Môn, said, ‘The discovery of so many red squirrels in Newborough forest was a real surprise, we had anticipated that the virus may have killed a large proportion of the resident squirrels and were getting ready for some disappointing results from the trapping work. Naturally finding so many red squirrels is a huge boost to our conservation efforts and it means that the forest is now one of the most important red squirrel habitats in Wales and is home to a thriving squirrel population. ' Read more...
Suspicious Death at Mynydd Llwydiarth -May 26 th 2007
A young female red squirrel was found dying on a woodland track near Mynydd Llwydiarth on Saturday 26th 2007. The animal was in very poor condition weighing only 130g and had a heavy infestation of fleas and ticks. There was a small cut inside the mouth, and a localised graze on the front right foot, however although the right eye appeared quite clear, the left eye was slightly swollen and a small amount of blood was present. Although this is unlike many severe cases of 'squirrel pox virus', some animals have died from the virus in England and have shown only a few lesions. The body was sent to DEFRA for tests to be carried out for the presence of virus and proved to be negative. We would like to thank David Everest at DEFRA for conducting the tests for us.
In 2006 we dealt with an earlier suspicious death, further inormation can be found here...
Newborough red squirrel killed by dogs -May 11th 2007
During live-trapping work in Newborough forest an adult female red squirrel was caught in a trap. The trap was located 50m away from a forest track, and situated within very thick woodland containing a good shrub layer of bramble and ground ivy. Sadly, the trap was found by three dogs and the owner allowed the animals to attack the cage and to kill the squirrel inside. The attack must have been sustained as the dogs had dragged the trap some 20m and had managed to crush the trap and tear the door open. Newborough forest is managed by Forest Commission Wales, and although dog walkers are actively encouraged to use the site, all owners are expected to ensure that they have control over their animals. In this case, it is unfortunate that the dogs were allowed to run out of control.
Welsh red squirrels draw on Stars support - April 27th 2007
Welsh stars have highlighted a campaign to save the endangered red squirrel in Wales. A host of celebrities including Bryn Terfel, Aled Jones, Neil Kinnock and wildlife expert Iolo Williams, have drawn red squirrels for the "scribble a squirrel" appeal organised by the Friends of the Anglesey Red Squirrels.
Sportsmen, celebrities, TV stars and politicians all contributed autographed sketches and doodles of red squirrels which will be auctioned on the internet in May with the funds raised going to a range of red squirrel conservation projects in Wales, more...
Genetic timebomb on Anglesey - March 10th 2007
Three adult red squirrels in Pentraeth forest on Anglesey have been discovered with genetic deformities. The animals all had missing or severely deformed feet; conditions which scientists believe are due to inbreeding within the isolated mountain population.
There were fewer than 30 red squirrels on the island in the mid 1990s, but through a successful conservation program, the mountain population at Pentraeth was increased to 100 individuals by 2002. The population remains isolated and is some 15km from the reintroduced population in Newborough.
Research commissioned by Menter Môn in 2003 revealed that the Pentraeth forest squirrels all share a single common female bloodline and also that the animals possess an extremely limited amount of genetic diversity. However, the study also indicated that the population was related to animals in Tywi forest in mid Wales, and was therefore part of a wider and unique Welsh gene pool. This autumn it is proposed to release two new and unrelated females into pentraeth forest in an attempt to introduce new bloodlines and thus prevent future inbreeding.
Hundreds of pine trees in Pentraeth forest destroyed - Feb 20th 2007
In 2005 we were shocked to find that half an acre of young Scots pine trees had been pulled up and destroyed in Pentraeth forest. Cannabis plants!! had been planted there and we immediately called the Police. In the following year, most of the pine and larch trees planted by the Forestry Commission and Pentraeth primary school children were uprooted, but interestingly all the broadleavedtrees were left undamaged and new apple and strawberry trees were found to have been planted in the tree crop.
On 3rd August 2006 our website received an anonymous email which began:
“ ...please don't use the red quirrel [sic] issue as a suppossed [sic] justification for planting alien conifers...red squirrels don't need them obviously...they were here a long time without them. Its totally and completely insane to insist on widespread coniferistation on Mynydd Llwydiarth on this false rational.”
The email then became threatening and abusive. A second threatening email was received a few days later this time stating '...and stop hiding behind 'the kids' in order to justify coniferisation scurrelous creep.' Some of the statements in this second email clearly identified the individual involved. This information was again passed on to North Wales Police. However, last week even more young conifer trees were destroyed in a clear attempt to jeopardise our efforts to safeguard the islands' red squirrel population. We would ask anyone walking through pentraeth forest to report any suspicous activity to both the Forestry Commission and North Wales Police.
Tywi red squirrels flourish - Feb 2007
A vital project to safeguard one of the most important red squirrel populations in Wales is gathering momentum. The mid Wales Red Squirrel Project have begun to clear grey squirrels from large tracts of coniferous plantation. It is hoped that, along with Anglesey, Mid-Wales might become a long-term refuge for the red squirrel in Wales.Isabel Macho was recently lucky enough to watch one of these enchanting little creatures as it fed on larch seed high up in woodland canopy. She very kindly sent us the picture. Well done everyone involved with the Mid Wales project!
'Squirrel Pox' recorded in Welsh red squirrels - Jan 1st 2007
An adult red squirrel has died of squirrel pox virus in Newborough forest. The wild male was discovered alive within a wooden nest box in early December 2006 and although the disease was quite advanced, the squirrel was still strong enough to bolt out of the open box and up into the woodland canopy above.
Later, during the evening, we were able to catch the animal while it was sleeping in a second box. It was then taken to the Welsh Mountain Zoo where it was treated with a broad spectrum antibiotic.Unfortunately the animal died five days later; the resulting post mortem and histology tests indicating:
'Severe multifocal epithelial hyperplasia consistent with squirrel pox virus, and secondary ulceration and bacterial colonisation, skin, conjunctiva, tongue.' and that 'The lesions are consistent with those of squirrel pox virus, with extensive secondary colonisation by large coccoid bacteria that are probably staphylococci.'
The day after the sick animal was caught, all of the woodland nestboxes were emptied and cleaned with anti-viral solution. Fresh bedding was placed inside each, and this was treated with a powder insecticide in order to kill any flea eggs that remained afterthe cleaning process. In addition, all the feeders in the immediate locality were taken down and then destroyed. However, those further away were left in place so that we could monitor at least part of the red squirrel population. After the cleaning process had been finished, Newborough forest was then trapped for four weeks. Four grey squirrels were killed during this period, and interestingly all of these individuals were caught in one location, an area of woodland that was some distance from where the sick red was discovered.
Despite this setback, we should end on a positive note, as wild red squirrels are still visiting all the feeders that are present away from the area in which the infected red was found. In March the woodland will be retrapped in an attempt to quantify how many animals were lost to 'squirrel-pox' and also to ensure that no further grey squirrels are present within the 700 hectare woodland.
Below are pictures of squirrel pox virus in an adult red squirrel:
Clocaenog Forest - Research over Conservation?
Last year our chairman visited Clocaenog forest and was surprised to learn that research into red and grey squirrels meant that grey squirrel control was often not carried out. This year we learned that ten grey squirrels were caught and re-released into the woodland during 2004, and also that in both 2005 and 2006 scientists had intended to carry out similar releases. In the light of the fact that grey squirrels carry the 'Squirrel pox' virus, a disease that is deadly to red squirrels, it would seem at best misjudged to catch and release grey squirrels into woodland containing red squirrels. The researchers involved report that, following releases in 2004, the woodland was over run with greys... Is there a lesson somewhere here?
