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First pine martens released in Exmoor National Park
in landmark nature recovery project
A pioneering nature recovery project has reintroduced 19 pine martens to Exmoor National Park - marking the official return of a native species lost for over a century.
9 female and 10 male animals were released during September at secret locations owned by the National Trust and Exmoor National Park Authority.
The release marks the return of an animal which was once common locally, but which was lost due to hunting and the decline of its favoured woodland habitat.
Pine martens are a native species and a woodland dwelling animal. The size of a small cat, they belong to the weasel or mustelid family. Their release is the work of the Two Moors Pine Marten Project, supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
The project is led by the charity Devon Wildlife Trust and is a partnership between seven organisations: Dartmoor National Park Authority, Devon Wildlife Trust, Exmoor National Park Authority, Forestry England, National Trust, Somerset Wildlife Trust and Woodland Trust. Expert assistance has been provided by the Vincent Wildlife Trust.
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