Wildlife

Pine Marten Welfare and Recovery in Scotland

How pine martens are recovering across Scotland and what welfare science tells us about their needs.

Key Facts

Pine martens were nearly extinct in England and Wales by the 20th century
They are now recovering in Scotland with expanding populations
Territorial and solitary outside breeding season
Sensitive to disturbance during denning periods

Welfare Considerations

Pine marten welfare depends on secure denning sites, prey availability, and freedom from persecution. Recovering populations face road collision risk and habitat fragmentation. Conservation programmes now monitor welfare indicators alongside population counts.

What You Can Do

Support wildlife corridor projects linking woodland habitats
Advocate for reduced road speeds in pine marten recovery zones
Report sightings to national monitoring schemes