Camera trap footage has documented the birth of four pine marten kits on Exmoor, representing a significant milestone for conservation efforts in the region. The mother and offspring were captured on film as they moved through woodland areas, providing evidence that the introduced population is beginning to reproduce successfully.
The Two Moors Pine Marten Project released 19 pine martens—nine females and ten males from Scottish Highlands populations—to Exmoor last year as part of a broader reintroduction initiative. This followed the release of 15 animals on Dartmoor in 2024, with kits documented there as well. These reintroductions mark the first sustained attempt to restore a breeding population of the tree-dwelling weasels to the South West region since they were eliminated through hunting over a century ago.
Nigel Garnsworthy, restore nature delivery manager at the National Trust, characterized the birth of kits as an encouraging indicator that pine martens are successfully reestablishing themselves in the region. Ali North, the project’s field officer for Exmoor, noted that the discovery followed extensive monitoring efforts and reflected community involvement in supporting the initiative, including construction of den boxes and installation of camera systems.
Project officials cautioned that despite these breeding successes, the pine marten population remains in an early and vulnerable stage of recovery. The animals themselves have demonstrated high mobility and tendency to avoid human contact, making them challenging to observe and monitor. Continued effort and caution will be necessary to ensure the long-term viability of the restored population.
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