Wildlife

Wild Animal Welfare and Pine Marten Recovery 2026

Pine martens are recovering in Wales and southern England following reintroductions, bringing ecological and welfare benefits.

Key Facts

Pine martens were extinct in England and Wales by the mid-20th century
Vincent Wildlife Trust reintroduced pine martens to Wales from 2015 with continued success
Pine marten presence suppresses grey squirrel populations, benefiting red squirrels
Reintroduced populations are now naturally expanding with established breeding pairs
Pine martens require ancient woodland with large trees for denning - habitat protection is essential

Welfare Considerations

Pine marten recovery demonstrates successful rewilding that benefits the reintroduced species and cascades through the ecosystem. Supporting reintroduction programs enables this recovery.

What You Can Do

Support Vincent Wildlife Trust pine marten recovery programs
Advocate for ancient woodland protection in planning consultations
Report pine marten sightings to your local wildlife trust for monitoring