Wildlife

Marten and Fisher Welfare in Managed Forests

Pine martens and fishers are mustelids recovering in some areas after fur trade decimation, but face ongoing threats from trapping, forest management and rodenticide poisoning.

Key Facts

Pine martens were nearly extinct in England and Wales — reintroduction programmes began in 2015
Fishers are recovering in parts of the US northeast following protection from trapping
Both species are highly sensitive to forest structure — old growth and complex habitats are essential
Second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides kill martens and fishers that consume poisoned prey
Fishers are still trapped in many states for fur despite small population sizes

Welfare Considerations

Marten and fisher caught in body-grip traps suffer acute welfare harm — trap design, sizing and placement determine whether death is rapid or prolonged. Anticoagulant rodenticide poisoning causes internal haemorrhage and prolonged death from consuming poisoned rodents. Forest management that removes fallen logs and dense understory habitat impairs the structural complexity these species require for denning, prey hunting and thermal cover.

What You Can Do

Support pine marten reintroduction programmes in Wales and England through donations
Advocate for fisher trapping moratoria in states where populations remain small
Oppose second-generation anticoagulant rodenticide use in forest contexts
Support forest management standards that retain old growth characteristics benefiting mustelids