Wildlife

Pine Marten Welfare and Recovery Progress in 2026

Pine martens continue their recovery across the UK in 2026, with welfare considerations around reintroduction programmes, road mortality and habitat connectivity.

Key Facts

Pine marten populations have recovered strongly in Scotland and are expanding in Wales and England
Reintroduction programmes in England and Ireland have established new populations
Pine martens are primarily arboreal, requiring connected woodland for movement
Road mortality is a significant constraint on range expansion in fragmented landscapes
Competition with grey squirrels may be mediated by pine marten predation

Welfare Considerations

Welfare during translocation programmes requires careful attention to capture, transport and release procedures. Animals face stress from handling and unfamiliar environments. Mortality during establishment in new areas is inevitable but minimising suffering through monitoring and intervention is important. Road mortality presents acute welfare problems for an otherwise recovering species.

What You Can Do

Support pine marten monitoring and conservation programmes
Drive carefully at night near woodland corridors in marten areas
Report pine marten sightings to Vincent Wildlife Trust
Advocate for wildlife crossing infrastructure on roads through marten habitat
Support woodland creation and connectivity projects that benefit martens