The Friends group was set up in 1999 by Anglesey residents who wished to assist in the conservation of the islands small red squirrel population.
________________________________________
Two years earlier, Menter MÔn and the Esmé Kirby Snowdonia Trust started a programme of grey squirrel control in order to try and safeguard the remnant red squirrel population. The Friends wished to galvanise local community support for this campaign and also to raise the profile of the red squirrel's plight. We aim to raise local awareness of red squirrel conservation, and to encourage people to actively support campaigns on issues relating to red squirrels. Over the last five years, the Friends have:
• Funded research into red squirrel genetics
• Sponsered a pair of red squirrels for use in the Anglesey reintroduction project
• Raised funds to provide nest boxes & winter food
• Encouraged grey squirrel control in gardens and local woodland
• Organised guided walks, slide show presentations and other public events
Red squirrel genetics
Research we funded has shown that thePentraeth red squirrel population has lost a significant amount of genetic variability. The remnant population contains individuals that are all closley related and this may lead to future problems caused by inbreeding.

Recently we have funded additional genetic research examining squirrel populations elsewhere in Wales. It is hoped that several red squirrels from other parts of Wales can be introduced into the Pentraeth forest to improve the long-term genetic health of this particular island population.
Reintroduction of red squirrels
In 2002/3 it was possible to almost completely eradicate grey squirrels from Newborough forest, a large coniferous plantation on the island. The successful reintroduction of red squirrels into this site has formed a key part of the long term conservation strategy for red squirrels on Anglesey.
The Friends sponsored one pair of red squirrels which were housed in a spacious enclosure located within the forest.
A total of five large enclosures had been constructed within the commercial conifer plantation. Animals released from these cages bred successfully, and in the autumn of 2008 there were 150 adults and young red squirrels in Newborough