The Return Of The Pine Marten

November is set to be an exciting time for Gloucestershire’s wildlife, says Sue Bradley

Pine martens have not been seen in the Forest of Dean for more than a century, but this autumn they’re set to make a comeback. Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust has been working with Forestry England, Forest Research and The Vincent Wildlife Trust, with support from Forest Holidays and The Woodland Trust, to carry out a project to reintroduce this long absent member of the weasel family.

The release of some 20 pine martens in the Forest of Dean follows more than three years of research and feasibility studies, along with extensive consultations with people living in the area.

The animals, which are roughly the size of domestic cats, with long slender bodies and dark brown fur with pale throat patches, are being sourced from Scotland. The first 20 pine martens will be followed by a further two batches over the next two years, with each one being fitted with tracking devices so that its movements can be monitored.