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Wednesday, 15 August 2007, 14:00 GMT 15:00 UK

'Shop a squirrel' line aids cull

Red squirrel People on Anglesey have been urged to call a phone line to report sightings of grey squirrels as part of a cull.

A conservation project on the island is looking to increase numbers of red squirrels which are often pushed out by their grey counterparts.

The greys are being humanely culled to boost red numbers which have increased from 40 to 200 over the last 10 years.

Around 8,000 greys have been killed in the last decade. Sightings should be reported to 01248 725700.

Conservationists say there are only around 50 adult greys left on the island and they are hoping those remaining will be eradicated altogether within three years.

Grey squirrels compete for food with reds, damage woodland habitats and can also carry the squirrel pox virus which is deadly to red squirrels.

"The end game is in sight," said Dr Craig Shuttleworth, woodland ecologist with Menter Môn, the Anglesey Enterprise agency which is leading the conservation project.

"If we can get rid of all the greys, then Anglesey can be a long term island refuge for the red squirrel."

Grey squirrel

Becky Moss, co-ordinator for the Friends of the Anglesey Red Squirrels said more had been released into woodland not far from Menai Bridge and there were plans to reintroduce red squirrels in other areas soon.

The culling project involves up to 400 traps baited with maize being set and checked twice daily in woodlands and gardens across the island.

Grey squirrels caught in the traps are then killed humanely.

The bodies are used for scientific research into the squirrel pox virus.

Dr Shuttleworth said people should also contact them if they saw any red squirrels.

"With the progress we're making, we're hoping it won't be too long before we have 1,000 red squirrels in Anglesey," he said.




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Related to this story:
Squirrel project 'back on track' (31 May 07 |  North West Wales )
Red squirrels born at nature park (03 Aug 07 |  Kent )
New 'blood' for island squirrels (12 Mar 07 |  North West Wales )
Virus 'setback' for red squirrels (15 Feb 07 |  North West Wales )
Plan to save red squirrel project (04 Dec 05 |  Wales )

RELATED INTERNET LINKS
The Friends of Anglesey Red Squirrels
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