Potential for pine martens' return, findings show

There is potential for pine martens to return to their former habitats in south-east England, new research has shown.

The pine marten, a cat-sized animal from the weasel family, became extinct in most of England and Wales in the early 20th Century, according to Kent Wildlife Trust.

However, a study as part of the South East Pine Marten Restoration Project shows that the animal is most likely to thrive in areas with extensive woodland cover, with suitable habitats identified in the region.

Lead author Ella Lewis, nature-based solutions and evidence officer for the trust, said: "These new findings present the exciting potential for pine martens to return to their former range in the future."

Lewis said that the animals brought benefits to their habitats including seed dispersal while balancing and boosting woodland ecosystems.

The findings from the study will help assess the feasibility of restoring the animal to parts of the country where they used to thrive, the trust said.

Along with the South East, suitable habitats have been identified in Gloucestershire, East Yorkshire and East Anglia.

The trust said: "Understanding where suitable habitat exists is a vital first step in assessing whether future reintroductions could be successful."

Currently, pine martens are largely confined to Scotland, with small populations in England and Wales where they are "critically endangered", according to the trust.

The South East Pine Marten Restoration Project is a partnership led by Kent Wildlife Trust and Wildwood Trust, with Sussex Wildlife Trust, The Conservators of Ashdown Forest and Forestry England.

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