1 week Ago By [email protected] (Andrew Forgrave)
Visitors to an Anglesey beauty spot have been left aghast at the amount of human faeces being left lying around. Dog walkers have been particularly incensed at their pets are apt to roll in the mess. Problems with human poo were first reported in Newborough Forest back in 2020 when Covid lockdown curbs were lifted.
Since then the area’s popularity has soared and in recent weeks there has been a sharp rise in the number of poo-related complaints. Site manager Natural Resources Wales (NRW) has responded by urging all visitors to “behave appropriately”. Newborough Forest has one toilet block in its eight square kilometres and it’s thought some people are getting caught short.
READ MORE: Masked youths on e-bikes are terrorising residents in North Wales seaside town READ MORE: Why well known Welsh beach has been left looking like a 'sandy Scalextric' The environmental body has previously raised concerns about the amount of illegal camping in the forest, which lies adjacent to a sweeping beach and the iconic tidal island of Ynys Llanddwyn . There's a suspicion that the recent upsurge in human waste found on the forest floor is linked to wild camping. Angry dog walkers have taken to social media to express their disgust at what’s happening – and the problems that human faeces is causing.
Many comments have "vomit" or "feeling sick" emojis. Matters came to a head when a Newborough resident discovered his dogs had twice eaten human poo during a single visit. “It’s obviously human because no other animals leave behind used paper and wipes,” he said.
“My car stinks of it and now the dogs are in the house, that does too. It’s disgusting.” More commonly, dogs are rolling in piles of poo, which are often clearly identified by the soiled tissue paper nearby.
A Llanfairpwll woman reported that one of her dogs rolled in the poo twice in different parts of the forest. “One was right next to a track from the dunes into the forest at Traeth Penrhos,” she said. Join the North Wales Live Whatsapp community now Not all the waste is in remote areas of the forest.
Several dog walkers have reported piles close to car parks. One was located “about 150 yards” from Cwningar car park, another much closer still. “Our two dogs found it and one rolled in it," said an owner.
“People had left behind tissues and it wasn’t even off the beaten track. “I understand that on very rare occasions someone may get caught short but it just seems normal of late for these oddbods to crap in the forest! Maybe keep dogs on the lead if you want to avoid a similar fate.” For those whose dogs roll in human waste, getting them home without stinking out cars can be a challenge.
“It’s disgusting, the same happened with our two and it’s not the first time either,” said one woman. “We have to clean up after dogs mess and can get fined. Obviously the laws are different for feral humans.
” The issue has been reported and there have been calls for the poo to be collected or buried. The latter option is unlikely given the potential impact on flora at an environmentally-sensitive site. An NRW spokesperson said: “Newborough National Nature Reserve and Forest is a site of international biodiversity significance and is home to some of Wales’ most precious habitats.
The vast majority of our visitors respect the environment at the site. “There are accessible toilets for visitors on site located at the beach car park. We urge anyone visiting to behave appropriately and in a way that does not impact the site and other users, and to consider the impact their behaviour can have on the environment, wildlife, the tourism sector and our local communities.
” Human faeces is an issue that’s long dogged Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) and there are specific problem areas in the wider national park. Other honeypot sites around the UK have also experienced similar challenges, often accompanied by awareness and “nudge” initiatives. A different approach was taken by Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park which, in a trial, began lending trowels to campers with advice on how to bury their poo.
Biodegradable poo bags were also handed out to campers who were asked to “bag it and bin it” as they would with dog poo. Get the best island stories from our Anglesey newsletter - sent every Friday Find family activities near you.
