GUINEA PIGS are successfully living and breeding in the wild at a Forest car park.

They have been spotted in the undergrowth at Corbiere but it is unclear how and when they got there.

La Societe Guernesiaise conservation officer Jamie Hooper (pictured) said although the animals were surviving now, they could face many problems.

‘They could well be struggling,’ he said. ‘They are not designed to cope with the weather and to live in that environment. As the winter draws in they might not be so lucky.

‘They will have many predators, such as cats, rats, dogs being walked in the area and birds of prey.’

It is estimated that six black and brown guinea pigs are living in the undergrowth. Babies have also been spotted.

Mr Hooper said the release of any animal or plant in the wild was an offence.

‘The law is there to protect the environment and although the guinea pigs might not be doing any harm, there are examples where such releases have been devastating to the environment.’

He said the situation needed to be investigated further and something should be done.

The GSPCA was made aware and has been monitoring the situation.