Pine martens celebrated as Lake District reintroduction thrives

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 2 Nov, 06:44 · Archive

Pine martens have been reintroduced to the Lake District and have begun breeding successfully, with 58 animals now living in the region.

Pine martens have been reintroduced to the Lake District following their absence from the region for 30 to 50 years. Scottish pine martens were released into forested locations in south Cumbria over the last two years as part of the South Cumbria Pine Marten Recovery Project, led by the University of Cumbria.

The reintroduction has been successful. The population now stands at 58 animals, with eight kits born this year. The martens have spread beyond their initial release sites across the county and are now linking up with populations in Kielder and Northumberland, which is considered essential for their longer-term survival.

Pine martens were once abundant throughout the UK but their range shrank to only the Scottish Highlands due to persecution and habitat loss. Joanne Hunter, co-director of Grasmere Gingerbread, said the animals play a vital ecological role in the Lake District. She noted that pine martens help control numbers of invasive grey squirrels, which have negatively affected the region's indigenous red squirrel population.

To mark their return, Grasmere Gingerbread has created a hand-stitched collectible pine marten featuring a liveried Grasmere Gingerbread parcel in a shoulder harness. The launch coincides with a special conference about the mammal at the Ambleside Campus of the University of Cumbria and aims to raise awareness of the species' importance to the local ecosystem.

How it is being reported

• Celebration of reintroduction of critically endangered animal to the Lake DistrictGrasmere Gingerbread has launched a new collectible to celebrate the return of pine martens to the southern forests of the region.Westmorland Gazette · 2 Nov, 06:00
• Celebration of reintroduction of critically endangered animal to the Lake DistrictGrasmere Gingerbread has launched a new collectible to celebrate the return of pine martens to the southern forests of the region.Cumberland News · 2 Nov, 06:00
• Celebration of reintroduction of critically endangered animal to the Lake DistrictGrasmere Gingerbread has launched a new collectible to celebrate the return of pine martens to the southern forests of the region.NW Evening Mail · 2 Nov, 06:00

In this story: Lake District · University of Cumbria · Grasmere Gingerbread · South Cumbria Pine Marten Recovery Project · Jess Stevens · Joanne Hunter · Scottish Highlands · Kielder

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