Mark Hamblin
Bringing back pine martens
Two Moors Pine Marten Project
After an absence of 150 years, pine martens could be about to return to the South West of England. This is the aim of the Two Moors Pine Marten Project - Pine Martens Bounce Back
Once a common part of our region’s woodlands, pine martens became extinct throughout most of England and Wales in the nineteenth century.
Pine Martens Bounce Back: The Two Moors Pine Marten Project is made possible with support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund and with thanks to the National Lottery players this project aims to restore healthy populations of pine martens to the South West of England.
Mark Hamblin/2020VISION
What is a pine marten?
Pine martens are members of the weasel family of animals. They are around the size of a small cat and are wonderful tree climbers. This makes them ideally suited to living in woodlands.
They are mainly nocturnal and most of the time they live alone in sparse populations – so you’re unlikely to see one unless you are very lucky!
Much of the pine marten’s diet is made up of voles, but they will also eat other small animals including mice, squirrels, birds and insects. In autumn they also consume a lot of wild fruits.
We’ve put together more pine marten facts to help you get to know these fascinating animals.
Take a sneak peak at pine martens in this video (with thanks to Vincent Wildlife Trust)
Mark Hamblin/2020VISION
Why do we need pine martens back?
Their absence has left our local wildlife without a vital, functioning part. As predators of small animals, pine martens play a vital role in balancing nature, especially in our woodlands.
The return of pine martens to this area would be a positive step in restoring the fortunes of local wildlife at a time when it faces huge challenges.
Terry Whittaker/2020VISION
Where and when will the first pine martens be released?
The project is currently working with experts and local communities to determine the potential impacts of pine martens on other native species, agriculture, and woodland management, to establish where and whether the reintroduction could take place. Possible release sites are being considered in Dartmoor and Exmoor National Parks. The aim would be to release the first animals in 2024.
We’ve put together a brief timeline of what the project has done already and what will happen next.
Who is involved in the Two Moors Pine Marten Project?
The project is led by Devon Wildlife Trust and is a partnership between seven conservation organisations: Dartmoor National Park Authority, Devon Wildlife Trust, Exmoor National Park Authority, Forestry England, National Trust, Somerset Wildlife Trust and Woodland Trust.
The project is made possible with support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund and with thanks to the National Lottery players. This project is also supported by Turnstyle Designs, Devon Environment Foundation and The Benindi Fund and other generous donors.
This project has received expert advice and guidance from Vincent Wildlife Trust, NatureScot and the Zoological Society of London.
We’ve put together some Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) to help you learn more about the project and how it will work.
Donate and help bring back pine martens to the South West
Terry Whittaker/2020VISION
Interested in finding out more?
In our first public event on the Two Moors Pine Marten project, DWT's Conservation Manager, Ed Parr Ferris introduced the project and what it is about pine martens which makes them such an important missing part of our landscapes. Ed was joined by Dr Jenny MacPherson, Science and Research Programme Manager for Vincent Wildlife Trust. Watch the recording here.
In our second online event in September 2023, Tracey Hamston, project lead of the Two Moors Pine Marten Project, gave an update on the project and next steps. Watch the recording here.
