In 2024, the Two Moors Pine Marten Project reintroduced 15 endangered pine martens to Dartmoor National Park in the UK. This project is an initiative of the Devon Wildlife Trust.
Pine martens are small mammals. They are critically endangered in England and Wales. However, they are still common in Scotland. The species declined in England and Wales due to woodland destruction, human conflict, and hunting.
Conservation efforts, like the Two Moors Pine Marten Project, are helping these weasel-like animals recover.
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Start Your News DetoxIn 2024, 15 pine martens were released. Then, 19 more followed in 2025. These events were the first attempt to bring back a breeding population of pine martens to the South West. They had been hunted to extinction over 100 years ago.
New Babies Confirm Success
New video footage confirms the success of these releases. The Two Moors Pine Marten Project captured video of a female marten with four kits. They were exploring an Exmoor woodland. This is the first proof that the project's pine martens are breeding on Exmoor.
Since their release, trail cameras have shown the pine martens are active. They are shy of people and hard to spot. Conservation partners and local citizen scientists installed these cameras. Confirming breeding in the wild in both locations is a big win.
Ali North, a field officer for the project, called it a "wonderful moment." She thanked staff, partners, and volunteers. Local people helped build den boxes and check cameras.
Pine marten mothers usually give birth in March or April. They typically have two or three babies. Seeing four kits with their mother was amazing, North said. It suggests Exmoor is a perfect home for them.
Continued Efforts Needed
This footage is exciting, but conservationists say efforts must continue. Ali Hawkins, a senior ecologist, called it a "hugely encouraging milestone." It shows what partnership, monitoring, and community support can achieve.
However, the population is still small and vulnerable. Continued public support and reporting sightings are vital. This will help the species re-establish itself.
The newest footage shows the Exmoor pine martens playing. Another female pine marten and her kits were recorded in Dartmoor in 2025. This confirms that both releases have led to wild breeding. Locals Tim and Rachael captured that footage. They set up wildlife cameras to help the Citizen Science Woodland Survey.
Tim and Rachael shared their excitement. They had filmed single pine martens before. They were thrilled to see a mother with two kits playing. They feel fortunate to have seen this success.
