Pine martens return to the wild

THEY were once one of Britain’s most common mammals.

But pine martens became critically endangered after being trapped for their fur and shot for sport. Now they could be reintroduced to the South West of England after a 140-year absence.

Conservation groups including the National Trust hope the nocturnal animals could be released as early as autumn 2024. They are working with Exmoor and Dartmoor park authorities to identify two sites. Pine martens, which are related to otters and ferrets, were limited to the Scottish Highlands and small pockets of the North and Wales by the beginning of the 20th century.

But a study last year found that the South West was ripe for a reintroduction programme. Sarah Bryan, of Exmoor National Park Authority, welcomed the prospect of the ‘charismatic creatures’ returning.