First pine marten kits born in Devon in over a century

Conservationists are celebrating a major milestone as the first wild pine marten kits have been born in the South West of England in over 100 years. The births mark a significant achievement for the pioneering Two Moors Pine Marten Project, which reintroduced the elusive species to Dartmoor last autumn.

Fifteen pine martens - eight females and seven males - were released at undisclosed locations across Dartmoor in autumn 2024. Now, camera trap footage has revealed the presence of kits at a secret site in June 2025, offering the first evidence of breeding success.

Two separate videos captured the young animals exploring their new home. In one clip, three kits are seen playfully chasing each other through the undergrowth. Another shows a mother and two kits scampering along a fallen tree beside a Dartmoor stream. These animals are among the first pine martens to be born wild in Devon in more than a century.

Pine martens, small mammals similar in size to a domestic cat, were once common in the region but disappeared due to habitat loss and persecution. Their return is being driven by the Two Moors Pine Marten Project, a collaboration between seven organisations: Dartmoor National Park Authority, Devon Wildlife Trust, Exmoor National Park Authority, Forestry England, the National Trust, Somerset Wildlife Trust, and the Woodland Trust. The project is supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund and the Vincent Wildlife Trust.

Tracey Hamston of Devon Wildlife Trust, who leads the project, shared her excitement:

“When our volunteers discovered the footage of pine marten kits on one of our trail cameras we were ecstatic. This is a historic moment for the return of a native animal and for the future of the South West’s woodlands. To have breeding pine martens back after a century’s absence signals a positive step in nature’s recovery. It’s also testament to the many hours work undertaken by the project partnership and dozens of local volunteers.”

The project team has worked tirelessly since the 2024 release, tracking the animals’ movements, installing den boxes, and monitoring camera traps to understand their behaviour.

Kerry White, Ecologist at Dartmoor National Park Authority, commented:

“Dartmoor National Park Authority is thrilled to have been involved in such a pioneering project, which has brought together multiple organisations to help return pine martens to the South West. We’re delighted to see footage of the kits exploring their new environment and look forward to the positive impact their presence will have on helping to re-address ecological balance in our woodlands.”

Support from the National Lottery has played a key role. Stuart McLeod of The National Lottery Heritage Fund said:

“The birth of the first pine marten kits in Devon in over a century marks a truly historic moment for wildlife recovery. Thanks to National Lottery players, we’ve been proud to support this pioneering project... This milestone is a testament to the power of long-term conservation, and the resilience of nature when given the chance to thrive.”

With the success on Dartmoor, attention now turns to Exmoor, where further releases are planned for autumn 2025. Around 20 pine martens will be sourced under licence from healthy Scottish populations, undergo veterinary checks, and be released at secret locations with landowner consent.

Lucie Bennett of Somerset Wildlife Trust said:

"After the years of research, planning and hard work from the project team... to now see the next generation of pine martens in the South West is simply fantastic. What a beautiful sight to see healthy kits moving through the woodlands of Dartmoor that they once again call home.”

Abigail Parravani of Forestry England added:

“Forestry England has previously collaborated on successful pine marten releases, so we know that the birth of the first kits following reintroduction is always an exciting milestone for species recovery. I’m looking forward to watching the Two Moors Pine Marten Project go from strength to strength with the next planned releases on Exmoor this year.”

Jack Hunt from the Woodland Trust also celebrated the sighting:

“The work over many years to restore and improve the condition of our woodlands... has culminated in the return of the pine marten born in its natural environment in Dartmoor, the first of many and the beginning of the return of this missing species.”

Loubna Tacey from the National Trust commented:

“This is a hopeful sign for the long-term resilience of our natural landscapes. As a partner to this exciting project, we are delighted to welcome pine martens back and hopefully, we will see kits emerging in the woodlands next spring here on Exmoor.”

Pine martens are nocturnal and shy, preferring to avoid human contact. Their population is expected to grow slowly, and sightings will likely remain rare. However, the project team encourages the public to report any sightings via its website: www.twomoorspinemartens.org

Hamston remains optimistic about the project’s future:

“We’re looking to build on the success of last year’s releases of pine martens on Dartmoor. Exmoor’s woodlands are well-suited to the animals. Their arrival in early autumn will coincide with the local natural harvest of wild berries – food which pine martens love. In a year’s time we would hope to see the first kits appearing on Exmoor.”

As the pine marten continues its quiet return to the South West, conservationists hope this marks just the beginning of a new chapter for the region’s woodlands.