Pine marten’s 60-mile journey

A pine marten set up a new home 60 miles from where it was released into the wild.

More than 50 of the creatures were reintroduced to a Welsh forest to control grey squirrel numbers, but one was caught on camera 60 miles north.

The pine marten travelled the distance less than a year after being released in 2015. Dr Jenny Macpherson of the Vincent Wildlife Trust said: “We were slightly surprised he left but very surprised he stayed there for a few mating seasons.

“A lot of them in the first year had a bit of an explore and went back to where they were released, but he was the only one who went north. He’s obviously found everything he needs – that usually means a mate and food.”

The pine marten was one of 51 introduced to Tywi Forest in Tregaron, Ceredigion but settled in Clocaenog Forest, Denbighshire. Its travels are tracked by a microchip under its fur.