Pine martens
As a new project aims to save one of our most threatened species, we throw the spotlight on one of the rarest – and cutest – animals needing our help
They’ve got the most adorable faces and scallywag personalities but sadly, Britain’s pine martens have been having a hard time. Despite being here since around 10,500 BC, for the last century their numbers have been at dangerously low levels – with as few as 100 left in England at the lowest point at the start of the 20th Century, thanks to habitat destruction, being hunted for their fur and being targeted by gamekeepers While numbers have since crept up in Scotland, the pine marten population remains frighteningly low in England, which is why a new conservation project, Back from the Brink, funded by the National Lottery and managed by numerous conservation organisations, has earmarked pine martens as one of more than 200 UK species that they plan to improve the fortunes of. Lizzie Croose (right), a pine marten specialist with The Vincent Wildlife Trust who are working on the project, says we have to try to boost their numbers in northern England. “When pine marten populations plummeted, numbers were so low in England there weren’t enough animals to breed. In Scotland, however, numbers were higher so once it became illegal to kill them, their populations rose. “Over the years pine martens have spread from northern Scotland into southern areas and the hope is they’ll move over the border into Northumberland and Cumbria. We now want to ensure we’re doing all we can to prepare the ground for that by telling local people and landowners to look out for pine martens in their area. “When a species is absent for a long time often people don’t know what they are so we need to raise awareness and encourage people to welcome them into areas where they should be and have been historically.” One way The Vincent Wildlife Trust is helping pine martens is by fitting wooden den boxes in trees to imitate the tree cavities they naturally love to hide in but often struggle to find. “Pine martens love them – especially the females who give birth and raise their young in them, which means they’re good for encouraging breeding. “Our ancestors sadly didn’t treat pine martens well so we have a moral obligation to help bring them back. They belong here as much as we do.”
n If you’re interested in volunteering to help pine martens call 01531 636441 or visit www.vwt.org.uk To find out more about Back from the Brink visit naturebftb.co.uk or on social media @naturebftb