Squirrels from mid Wales will be heading to Anglesey soon

The squirrels all had missing or severely deformed feet, which scientists believe is due to inbreeding within Anglesey's isolated population.

They hope the introduction of two squirrels from the Tywi forest, Powys, will help increase the gene pool.

The number of red squirrels on Anglesey has risen from 30 to 100 in a decade.

Scientists have been warning that the gene pool on Anglesey is still too small, but this is the first time genetic deformities have been discovered in the squirrels.

Research by regeneration project Menter M�n in 2003 showed the Pentraeth Forest squirrels had a limited genetic diversity, and all shared a single common female bloodline.

It also discovered the population was related to animals in Tywi forest, and was therefore part of a wider and unique Welsh gene pool.

Although related to those on Anglesey, the squirrels in the Tywi Forest have four female bloodlines - decreasing the chance of inbreeding.

'Pure Welsh bloodline'

Dr Craig Shuttleworth, Menter M�n's woodland ecologist, said: "The situation in Pentraeth forest is indeed worrying.

"But the introduction of two red squirrels from another population later this year will ultimately reduce the level of inbreeding in Pentraeth forest.

"Sourcing animals from another Welsh site would also enable us to maintain the pure Welsh bloodline present in Pentraeth."

He added: "Anglesey is an illustration of the long-term genetic problems which can occur when isolated populations are allowed to decline to very low levels, and it demonstrates why efforts to safeguard other Welsh populations, such as that in mid Wales, are vitally important."

Isabel Macho, from the Mid Wales Red Squirrel Project, said it was important the two projects worked together.

"The plight of the Pentraeth red squirrels serves to highlight how vital it is for as much effort as possible to be put in to conserving the mid Wales population," she added.

On Anglesey, all new litters are now being looked at to check for further problems.

Dr Shuttleworth said: "We have already discovered one red squirrel litter, and thankfully all three of the young were healthy and fighting fit."