They returned naturally to Shropshire in 2015 and populations have since spread, boosted by hugely successful official reintroductions in Wales and in the Forest of Dean. Unofficial rogue releases have also resulted in the species turning up in the New Forest and even in London.<\/p>\n
Food availability studies have identified plenty of food in Dartmoor\u2019s woods for the omnivorous predators, which take whatever is easiest and most abundant in a forest \u2013 berries, at this time of year, and mostly field voles at other times. Studies have also shown the pine martens are effective predators of grey squirrels, giving hope that they may provide a natural control for the introduced squirrel, which damages trees in commercial plantations and has virtually wiped out the red squirrel in England.<\/p>\n
But the pine marten still needs a helping hand to establish viable populations across England, according to conservationists, and well-planned official releases \u2013 this one took six years of preparation and consultations \u2013 using large numbers of health-screened animals are much more likely to succeed.<\/p>\n
Maverick releases of one or two animals have led to the individuals being found dead on roads, according to Parr Ferris. \u201cPine martens are solitary but they like to live near other pine martens, and when it gets to breeding season they look for mates and if they are on their own they travel across the landscape and are vulnerable to roadkill,\u201d he said. \u201cWe need a number of animals to form a population that\u2019s resilient and sustainable.\u201d<\/p>\n
In this release, all 15 animals are being tracked via GPS or radio by volunteers for the project partners, which include Dartmoor national park authority, Forestry England, National Trust and the Woodland Trust. So far, none have strayed near roads or into situations that might cause them danger.<\/p>\n
Next year the project, which is funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, will translocate another group of Scottish pine martens to Exmoor with the support of the national park and Somerset Wildlife Trust. Previous reintroductions have shown that releasing 30 to 40 animals slowly creates a viable population of 70+ animals, which live at low densities as they further expand their range.<\/p>\n
The martens\u2019 impacts on rare woodland birds and bats in Devon will be carefully monitored, with advisers also available to meet any farmers or shooting estates that encounter problems with predation.<\/p>\n
\u201cOn the whole, landowners have been really supportive,\u201d said Parr Ferris, who added that small tweaks to standard non-lethal predator controls could stop the martens causing problems for shooting estates.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are asking people to adapt to a new species coming back in the landscape but a lot of these communities want to see a vibrant, natural environment and the return of a species they\u2019ve lost and we want to help people adapt to having that. The whole point is to build a really great woodland environment that supports pine martens and supports other things as well.\u201d<\/p>\n
Abigail Parravani, forest planner for Forestry England, said: \u201cRestoring a native predator doesn\u2019t only conserve the species itself but helps to restore entire woodland ecosystems by reinstating natural processes that humans have interrupted. I\u2019m excited to watch the project unfold and see the positive impact of pine martens on the health and resilience of these important landscapes.\u201d<\/p>\n
Alex Raeder of the National Trust, said: \u201cWe are looking forward to welcoming the return of the pine marten to Dartmoor, which is a significant step in restoring the ecology of these very special oak woodlands so characteristic of the ancient landscapes of the south-west.\u201d<\/p>\n