PINE martens are back on Exmoor for the first time in a century as part of a landmark project to reintroduce the species.
A total of 19 of the animals – nine females and 10 males – have been freed on Exmoor National Park.
Once common on Exmoor but lost to hunting and habitat loss, the pine martens – small, cat-sized animals from the weasel family – were released last month at secret locations owned by the National Trust and Forestry England as part of a project the Two Moors Pine Marten Project and supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
The project is led by the charity Devon Wildlife Trust and is a partnership between seven organisations: Dartmoor National Park Authority, Devon Wildlife Trust, Exmoor National Park Authority, Forestry England, National Trust, Somerset Wildlife Trust and Woodland Trust. Expert assistance has been provided by the Vincent Wildlife Trust.
The pine martens were sourced from healthy wild populations in the north west of Scotland and the reintroduction marks the culmination of three years of planning by the Two Moors Pine Marten Project working with volunteers, stakeholders and communities.
A total of 19 pine martens have been released on Exmoor. Picture: Terry Whittaker/2020Vision
On arrival in Exmoor the pine martens were housed separately in specially constructed release pens, each containing a snug den box.
There they were allowed to acclimatise quietly to their new surroundings while being provided with fresh food and water.
After 72 hours, the door to each pen was opened and the pine martens were able to slip into their new wild surroundings.
Each has been fitted with a radio collar allowing project staff to follow their fortunes in coming months. The lightweight handmade leather collars are designed to drop off the animals after six to nine months.
The Exmoor initiative comes after 15 animals were released by the Two Moors Pine Marten Project on Dartmoor in autumn 2024.
The Dartmoor population has become established with the first births of kits being recorded in July 2025.
Similar successful releases have also taken place in recent years in the Forest of Dean, Wales and Cumbria.
Pine martens have a varied diet and at this time of year will consume wild fruits, along with hunting for prey which includes small mammals such as voles, mice and grey squirrels.
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Devon Wildlife Trust’s Tracey Hamston, who leads the Two Moors Pine Marten Project, said: “It’s wonderful to see pine martens living wild in Exmoor again. These animals were once a key part of our thriving woodland wildlife, so it’s good that they are back where they belong.
“It’s a positive sign that nature can be restored. Our woodlands and their wildlife will benefit from their presence.”
Lucy Bennett, pine marten engagement officer at Somerset Wildlife Trust, said: “We’re proud and delighted to see pine martens returning to Somerset and to have played a part in the national recovery strategy as this animal re-establishes its former range.
“At a time when wildlife needs us more than ever and action is much needed, it’s fantastic to see recovery milestones met, like the return of this important mammal in functioning British woodlands.
“We look forward to monitoring the progression of the Exmoor animals, supporting woodland wildlife and local communities as the pine martens move and expand their range.”
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