MORE than 50 South American rodents illegally released into the wild have been discovered dead among sand dunes, RSPCA officials said today.

At least a further 11 degus were picked up alive in the Merseyside resort of Southport and are being cared for at an animal centre in nearby Birkdale.

A cousin of the chinchilla and native to Chile, the degu feeds on grass, bark, leaves and seeds and has grown in popularity as a pet over recent years.

It is believed the rodents, first discovered on Monday by collection officer Derek Hampson, had been dumped by the sand dunes.

An offer to rehouse the surviving degus has already been received by the animal charity and they are expected to be transferred to their new home later this week.