Pine martens return to UK National Park after more than a century of extinction

19 pine martens have travelled 500 miles through the night from North West Scotland to South West England to be reintroduced into Exmoor National Park – where they have not been found for over 100 years.

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The nine female and 10 male pine martens were sourced from healthy wild populations in North West Scotland, brought down to Exmoor in a specially adapted, temperature-controlled vehicle. They have been released into secret locations owned and cared for by the National Trust and Forestry England.

Pine martens became extinct in South West England over a century ago, after centuries of loss and damage to their woodland habitats, and the threats they faced from hunting and trapping.

When they arrived in Exmoor National Park, the pine martens were housed separately in release pens, each containing a snug den box with fresh food and water. After 72 hours, the door to each pen was opened and the pine martens were able to explore their surroundings. Each animal has been fitted with a radio collar, so project staff are able to follow their journeys in the coming months. They have been designed to drop off the collars after 6-9 months.  

Similar successful releases of pine martens have also taken place in recent years in the Forest of Dean, Wales and Cumbria. 

In a project led by the Devon Wildlife Trust, the reintroduction is the second part of the Two Moors Pine Marten Project – a landmark nature recovery project that released pine martens into Dartmoor National Park last year. The first births of kits were recorded in July 2025, and the hope is that these two groups will both continue to grow and eventually merge to become the first stable pine marten population in South West England since the early 19^th century.

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.

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Top image: Pine marten 'TM27' leaves its release pen (credit: Two Moors Pine Marten Project)