THE FUTURE of the Island's red squirrel population looks healthier after an extensive hunt for its grey cousin proved fruitless.
A major threat to Island red squirrels was feared after the discovery of a dead grey in west Wight last year.
The Island is one of only a handful of places in the country where reds flourish.
Greys pose a threat because they are larger and better equipped to compete for nesting sites and food. Greys also carry a virus that is deadly to reds.
After the discovery of the grey, environmental groups launched a campaign to establish whether the invading species had got a foothold.
Because no greys have been found, it is now thought the Island remains exclusively the habitat of reds.
County ecological officer Dr Colin Pope urged the public to remain vigilant but said: "We are as sure as we can be that there are no grey squirrels on the Island."
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