THE Isle of Wight's favourite furry friends are not interbreeding at 'worrying levels' according to new research by scientists at Bournemouth University.

The study discovered that red squirrels living on both sides of the Island have different genetic make-up.

Scientists found that the urban landscape of the Island prevents the native squirrels from intermingling as they prefer to live in the canopy of trees and hedges. 

Conservationists are attempting to build woodland corridors by planting trees and hedgerows to allow the two sets of the native squirrel to mix.

Isle of Wight County Press: Red squirrels are found in only a few areas of the countryRed squirrels are found in only a few areas of the country (Image: Debbie Hart)

The UK’s population of red squirrels declined after the introduction of grey squirrels from North America in the 19th century.

Dr Emilie Hardouin, who co-led the study, said: “Red squirrels are thriving on the Isle of Wight, but they need to be able to adapt to new environmental conditions.

“Giving all the populations on the Island the opportunity to mix would allow them to bring all their gene pools together, creating better genetic health for future generations of squirrel and ensuring they can adapt as needed.”

Isle of Wight County Press: Scientists did not find ‘worrying levels of inbreeding’ among Island red squirrelsScientists did not find ‘worrying levels of inbreeding’ among Island red squirrels (Image: Zoë Cox)

The scientists did not find worrying levels of inbreeding, which can be a problem in Island species.

Scientists added that an earlier study found that the Island’s squirrels are closely related to those living on Brownsea and Furzey Islands in Dorset. 

Dr Hardouin continued: “This could mean that the Island populations are descended from the remnants of the original Dorset and Hampshire populations which have since disappeared.

“The fact that they are genetically distinct is another important reason why we need to conserve them.”