Major conservation success as pine martens thrive on Dartmoor

The rare and elusive pine marten is continuing its steady return to Dartmoor. 

As The Moorlander previously reported, the birth of the first wild-born kits marked a major milestone in one of the South West’s most ambitious nature recovery efforts.

In autumn 2024, fifteen pine martens, eight females and seven males, were released on Dartmoor by the Two Moors Pine Marten Project, led by Devon Wildlife Trust in partnership with Exmoor National Park Authority, Forestry England, the National Trust, Somerset Wildlife Trust and the Woodland Trust.

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A year on, the Dartmoor population is “faring well,” according to Daniel Brown, Field Officer for Dartmoor with the project.

“On average the 15 Dartmoor pine martens dispersed 14 kilometres from their release sites, with some staying on the moor and others moving to other connected blocks of woodland,” he told The Moorlander. 

“A couple of animals have even been spotted on the south coast which gives you a sense of how mobile these animals can be.”

The species, once native to the region, vanished from Devon more than a century ago due to hunting and habitat loss. 

Their return follows seven years of planning and successful releases on Dartmoor and, more recently, Exmoor, where 19 more pine martens were released last month.

Mr Brown confirmed that at least one female on Dartmoor produced two kits this year, although a few of the animals have been lost to road traffic. 

“Pine martens are relatively slow breeders, producing only one litter a year, so it will take some time for the population in the South West to properly establish itself,” he added.

Although tracking collars have now naturally fallen off the Dartmoor animals, project staff are continuing to monitor their movements through wildlife cameras and public sightings. 

ABOVE: Pine marten leaving its pen (Credit: Devon Wildlife Trust)

Local residents and landowners are still being encouraged to report any sightings to pinemartens@devonwildlifetrust.org

The project team is also launching a citizen science initiative across Dartmoor to support community-led wildlife monitoring. 

“We are training landowners to use cameras and supporting habitat management,” said Mr Brown. “Community groups can even apply for small grants to help restore woodland and support pine marten recovery.”

While there have not yet been confirmed movements between the Dartmoor and Exmoor populations, Mr Brown said it is “only a matter of time” before the two groups meet. 

“With just 70 kilometres between release sites and the animals’ natural mobility, we expect the populations will merge and form a single viable group for the South West,” he said.