Pine Martens in southern England?

[james bennet]

I've spent quite a bit of time in the New Forest recently and it occurred to me that this might be a good spot for reintroducing Pine Martens. There seems to be plenty of good habitat, lots of squirrel prey (if they go for greys) and it would be lovely to share this landscape with them. Have pine marten reintroductions ever been considered, or successfully carried out, elsewhere in Britain? They don't seem to be spreading anywhere fast under their own steam.

[Dogghound]

The main problem with pine martens is that they are extremely hard to breed in captivity, so it would involve taking individuals from their native range and risking releasing them in another area, as they are quite low in numbers this is not really a safe option. Another point is they do prefer upland, coniferous woodland although are occasionally found in deciduous woods, so the habitat in a sense is not totally ideal. They are very susceptible to habitat change and loss which is a key reason they are not spreading, as well as persecution.

[Deer Stalker]

The retired Chief Keeper in the New Forest keeps Pine Martins. No plans to release any yet, but you never know.

[Jason Green]

My thoughts too, Dan. I too thought they preferred coniferous forests, as in their name. The New Forest I assume is more deciduous?

[Deer Stalker]

Originally Posted by Jason Green

My thoughts too, Dan. I too thought they preferred coniferous forests, as in their name. The New Forest I assume is more deciduous?

In the plantations just over half the trees are conifers.

[Jason Green]

Ah. That proves just one thing, DS. I haven't been there!

[Deer Stalker]

Originally Posted by Jason Green

Ah. That proves just one thing, DS. I haven't been there!

Its worth a visit Jason.

[Rob_D]

Does it make sense to try re-introduction if the relict populations in England and Wales are not thriving? Shouldn't we put more effort into helping those first?

[james bennet]

Originally Posted by Rob_D

Does it make sense to try re-introduction if the relict populations in England and Wales are not thriving? Shouldn't we put more effort into helping those first?

Possibly, but if the problem is fragmentation of suitable habitat and isolation of populations, it might be no bad thing to help martens move back into habitat which could certainly support them. This would create a larger pool of individuals, and make the overall population more robust and able to withstand disease and other pressures. In this way it would benefit these relict populations too.

Having said all this, I don't know for certain that martens previously occurred in the new forest, I just assumed it was the case.

Not that it matters hugely, I'm sure the government here is in no hurry over any mammal reintroductions. I've often thought it is strange that there is such reluctance here for reintroductions - where suitable habitat exists - yet in many more densely populated countries in europe they have been carried out with some success. Beavers are just one example.

[tigger]

No pine martens but apparently there are polecats in Dorset. There have been a few identified as pure polecat (from run over specimens) I believe. I know they aren't a pine martin but at least they are better than ferrets! (no malice meant to ferret lovers!)