The Anglesey Red Squirrel Project
There are around 150 adult red squirrels on the island of Anglesey. The largest population is found within the Mynydd Llwydiarth conifer plantation on the south east coast, whilst a smaller population exists in the large pine forest near the village of Newborough in the west.
Since 1998, a systematic program of grey squirrel control has been underway. The removal of grey squirrels has enabled the islands’ red squirrel population to flourish and has led to red squirrels being recorded within broadleaved stands and gardens near to Mynydd Llwydiarth. Building upon this success, the project is now attempting to completely eradicate grey squirrels from Anglesey.
Anglesey has some 2,500 hectares of mature woodland and scrub, and although this may seem like a relatively small area, it is highly fragmented and distributed across the island which makes the task of trapping that bit harder. However, as an island, Anglesey offers a unique opportunity not only to reverse the national pattern of local red squirrel declines and extinction, but to actually increase red squirrel population size and distribution. The eradication of grey squirrels will be an enormous challenge but it is one which if successful will enable a sustainable and long-term red squirrel refuge to be created.
No successful conservation project can take place without the help and support of the local community. We recognised this fact when the project started and so established the ‘Friends of the Anglesey red squirrels’ group. Membership has grown steadily and is currently around 300. This local group provides an important interface between the project and the community and has enabled us to create a dynamic and vibrant partnership. For further information about this project please visit www.redsquirrels.info.
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