Pine marten translocations to mid-Wales
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- Monitoring points:
- Species observations:
Test project
No
Project summary
The European pine marten *Martes martes* is a small carnivore, from the family Mustelidae, native to most of the British Isles and continental Europe. Pine marten were once common and widespread in Britain, but loss of woodland habitat coupled with intensive predator control led to severe declines during the 18th and 19th centuries. By the beginning of the 20th century remaining pine marten populations were confined to the northwest highlands of Scotland and a few small, remote upland areas in northern England and Wales.
This project has the aim to reinforce populations of pine marten from Wales by translocated individuals from Scottish populations to north Ceredigion, Wales.
This project has the aim to reinforce populations of pine marten from Wales by translocated individuals from Scottish populations to north Ceredigion, Wales.
Overall aim
Translocate and release pine martens in sufficient numbers to restore a viable population to Wales; Establish a community-wide level of support and community ownership of the Welsh pine marten population; Goal 3: Long term persistence, increase and expansion of the pine marten population in Wales; Develop a robust, transferable protocol for pine marten translocations;
Name of species translocated
Martes martes
How many species?
1
Monitoring form type
Translocation generic records
Project timeline
The translocation of Pine Martens from Scotland to north Ceredigion, Wales started in 2015. In 2017, it was reported that a total of 51 pine martens were translocated and released over three years; Survival was considered high (70% for tranche 1, 95% for tranche 2, and 92% for tranche 3). Between 2016-2019, breeding was confirmed for 10 (out of 23) translocated females. And between 2016 and 2020, it was reported that at least 38 site native young have been born in total in the area. In 2020, the first phase of the project was considered completed but it is still ongoing.
Funding body
The Vincent Wildlife Trust (VWT)
Project team - organisational or group members
Jenny MacPherson, David Bavin, Josie Bridges, Steve Carter, Elizabeth Croose, Catherine McNicol and Henry Schofield
Translocation aims
Species recovery (restoration to all or part of a species’ range)
Country
Wales
Region or locality
north Ceredigion, Wales
Images
Species
Species benefits
Improved national status of species
Increased numbers of populations
Increased numbers of individuals in the wild
Scientific benefits
Improve translocation practice
Understand the mechanism of successful and failed translocations
Increase understanding of focal species
Biological risk assessment
Distance of the translocation