Pine Marten Kits Filmed on Exmoor

A female pine marten accompanied by four young has been recorded on Exmoor, representing a significant achievement for a scheme to reintroduce the species to the South West. The footage provides the first confirmation that pine martens are breeding successfully in the region.

Reintroduction Efforts and Habitat Restoration

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Nineteen pine martens were released in secret woodland locations across Exmoor in September 2025. These releases followed an earlier introduction of 15 pine martens to Dartmoor National Park in 2024. The initiative, known as the Two Moors Pine Marten Project, seeks to re-establish the animals, which are described as being the size of a small cat and belonging to the weasel and otter family. Wildlife experts stated the project aims to restore these animals to their former habitat, where they play an important role in creating resilient woodlands.

Historically, pine martens were once abundant in Exmoor. However, their numbers dwindled significantly due to extensive hunting and the loss of their preferred woodland environments. The current reintroduction programme is designed to reverse this decline.

Filming the Young Kits

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The recent footage was captured by trail cameras deployed as part of the project. One clip shows a female pine marten and her four offspring, known as kits, approaching a bait station containing peanut butter and fish oil. Experts noted that this combination of scents appeals to pine martens. Ali North, a field officer for the Two Moors Pine Marten Project on Exmoor, expressed excitement at seeing the kits. She mentioned that mothers typically give birth to two or three kits in March or April, making the observation of four kits a remarkable sign that Exmoor is suitable for the species.

Encouraging Milestone Amidst Vulnerability

Ali Hawkins, senior ecologist at Exmoor National Park Authority, described the breeding confirmation as a very encouraging milestone for nature recovery within the park. She highlighted the success as a result of careful partnership work, sustained monitoring, and community backing. Despite this positive development, Ms Hawkins cautioned that the pine marten population remains small and susceptible. She stressed the ongoing need for public assistance and the reporting of sightings to aid the species' re-establishment.

Since their release, the pine martens have proven elusive due to their shy nature, mobility, and difficulty in being observed. The camera trap evidence confirms successful breeding not only in Exmoor but also in Dartmoor, where similar footage was obtained in 2025. Additional recordings from local residents this year suggest a second consecutive year of breeding on Dartmoor.

Conservationists have warned that the pine marten's return to the region is still in its initial, fragile phase. The animals exist at low densities, reproduce slowly, and face risks such as traffic accidents and poisoning from rat bait. The project team is asking for anyone in Devon, Somerset, or Cornwall who encounters a pine marten to report their sightings to assist in tracking the animals' progress.