Pine martens make comeback from brink of extinction in southern England

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Conservationists are celebrating what they are saying is the return of pine martens from the brink of extinction in southern England.

The animals, an elusive member of the weasel household, have been as soon as widespread throughout the UK earlier than habitat loss and persecution by gamekeepers left solely small and fragmented populations, principally in northern England, Scotland and components of Wales.

But now video clips have proven the presence of kits and younger pine martens throughout the New Forest in Hampshire, exhibiting the creatures are breeding.

In a three-year examine, 30 hidden cameras have been positioned in 11 components of the New Forest after guests reported noticed pine martens, that are nocturnal cat-sized animals.

England’s first reintroduction of pine martens started in 2019 in the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire, as half of nature-recovery schemes returning misplaced species of wildlife to forests.

Work can also be aiming to carry again pine martens in Kielder Forest, Northumberland, and Grizedale Forest in the Lake District.

By analysing over 1,000 hours of footage from hidden cameras and thermal imaging surveys, consultants have confirmed that pine martens have settled proper throughout the New Forest, saying the traditional woodlands present an excellent habitat.

Marcus Ward, from specialist conservation consultancy Wild New Forest, stated: “Pine martens are incredibly rare and very difficult to spot, making it difficult to study them.

“The footage collected by the cameras has given us a really unique view into their hidden world and will really help advance our understanding of these special creatures and how best to support them.”

Leanne Sargeant, senior ecologist for Forestry England, stated: “The nation’s forests provide such important areas for wildlife to thrive and expand and the New Forest is doing just that for these special creatures. Now we know they are here and breeding, our next step is to try and estimate the size the population and how they are using the New Forest’s ancient woodlands.”

Over the following few years, the crew hope to trace household teams.