Pox threatens to wipe out island’s red squirrels

RED squirrels could disappear from Anglesey, it is feared, after one of the creatures was found dead with a suspected case of a killer pox.

Tests are being carried out on the body, which was found in Coed Mor, a woodland close to the Britannia Bridge.

It was confirmed last month that a red squirrel found in Treborth Gardens, Bangor, in mainland Wales, had died after contracting the squirrel pox virus.

Holly Peek, a ranger for Red Squirrel Trust Wales, said: “If it is pox, the chances are it has spread from Treborth as the squirrels can travel back and forth from the mainland.

“So far we’ve had one confirmed case and two dead bodies which we are still awaiting the results for.”

The other squirrel being tested was found near Parc Menai, in Gwynedd.

The Red Squirrel Trust Wales have been working to reintroduce the reds after the grey squirrel nearly wiped out the native breed. In 1997, just 40 reds were believed to be left on Anglesey.

Ms Peek added: “If we get the results that it is a confirmed case on Anglesey it would be absolutely devastating. It could spread all the way up to Cemaes on the north coast of the island. Animals like to travel using routes so it will heavily affect areas like Coed Mor, Beaumaris and Amlwch

“One thing we have to consider is we may have to euthanise red squirrels once we get results and there are definitely a lot more confirmed cases.”

She appealed to members of the public to clean feeders regularly, to look for scabs, blisters or grazes on visiting squirrels and to report absences in areas where they are usually found.

Red squirrels can catch the virus that causes squirrel pox from grey cousins that are carriers but are themselves immune to the disease.