The Pine Martens Return: Rewilding Britain, One Woodland at a Time

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Heartening news has emerged from Dartmoor, Devon, where 15 pine martens have been reintroduced to their ancient habitat after more than 150 years of absence.

Led by Devon Wildlife Trust, the initiative is part of a nationwide effort to restore the endangered species, whose population is estimated at just 3,700. These elusive carnivores, expected to play a crucial role in controlling invasive grey squirrels, are poised to help revitalise ecosystems that have been degraded by the long absence of native predators.

As covered in one of our previous articles, pine martens (Martes martes) once thrived in Britain’s prehistoric Wildwood, a time when vast forests covered much of the main island of Great Britain. They were among the most abundant carnivores in Mesolithic Britain, contributing to the balance of ecosystems. However, centuries of deforestation and targeted persecution led to their near extinction.

These agile, arboreal predators help control populations of rodents and other small mammals, acting as natural pest controllers. By preying on invasive grey squirrels, which were introduced to Britain in the 1870s, pine martens also help create conditions for the recovery of native red squirrels. In areas where pine martens have returned, studies show grey squirrel numbers decline, giving red squirrels a fighting chance to regain lost territories.

This 2024 reintroduction of 15 pine martens to Dartmoor is a milestone in the effort to restore this native species to its former range. The project is the culmination of six years of preparation. The animals, sourced from Scotland’s thriving pine marten population, were equipped with GPS and radio tags so they can be monitored and protected into the future.

Initial results from monitoring have been positive, with the pine martens avoiding human infrastructure and adapting well to their new environment. This release is the first step in a larger plan to establish a self-sustaining population in Devon, with future reintroductions planned for Exmoor further north.

While the Dartmoor reintroduction is making headlines in the southwest, Kent Wildlife Trust (KWT) is leading the charge in the southeast with its Wilder Kent initiative. Launched in 2019 and supported by a grant from Restore Our Planet, the project aims to restore 30% of Kent’s land and sea to wildlife, effectively doubling the county’s wild areas. Central to this plan is the reintroduction of species that have been extinct in the region, including pine martens, red squirrels, turtle doves, red-billed choughs, and beavers.

In both Dartmoor and Kent, the return of pine martens represents a broader movement towards rewilding and ecological restoration across Britain. These efforts are not only about saving a single species but about restoring the natural processes that sustain biodiversity and create resilient landscapes. With continued support, projects like these offer a hopeful vision for the future, where other endangered native species can begin to recover.

Pine Marten at the British Wildlife Centre
by Surrey John

Pine Marten in Scotland

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