BUDDING young naturalists have been praised for their work to make Anglesey a stronghold for red squirrels and a no-go zone for greys. Four pupils from Ysgol Cemaes have received a coveted award in the world of natural study. Zoe Bryant, Katrina Daniel, Claudia Owen and Lucy Holland have been working hard on a project geared at the conservation and re-establishment of red squirrels on the island. The four recently travelled to the University of Northampton, after their project reached the final in the British Naturalists Association Ward Cup. They were joined by two other previous members of the group, Owain Hughes and Natalie Portland, who have both moved to new schools since the project work was started. The Cemaes primary school team were the overall winners and they were presented with their award by famous botanist Professor David Bellamy. The team received two cups to bring back to Anglesey, books, posters, T-shirts and magazines. The fight to save the red squirrel on the island is ongoing, with the conservation group Friends of the Anglesey Red Squirrels making a bid to rid the island of the alien grey species. The less popular variety of grey squirrel has dominated wooded areas throughout Britain since being introduced in the late 19th century, leading to the near-extermination of the native red species. During a seven-year campaign, a total of 6,500 grey squirrels have been removed from woodlands throughout Anglesey and conservationists are making attempts to remove the last few individuals. The move is a bid to create a safe haven for red squirrels, allowing them to once again become a regular sight in gardens and woodlands across the island, and perhaps one day the UK. Conservationists aim to establish the largest single colony in Wales on the island. | 
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