There is potential for pine martens to return to their former habitats in south-east England, new research has shown.<\/p>\n
The pine marten, a cat-sized animal from the weasel family, became extinct in most of England and Wales in the early 20th Century, according to Kent Wildlife Trust.<\/p>\n
However, a study as part of the South East Pine Marten Restoration Project<\/a> shows that the animal is most likely to thrive in areas with extensive woodland cover, with suitable habitats identified in the region.<\/p>\n Lead author Ella Lewis, nature-based solutions and evidence officer for the trust, said: “These new findings present the exciting potential for pine martens to return to their former range in the future.”<\/p>\n Lewis said that the animals brought benefits to their habitats including seed dispersal while balancing and boosting woodland ecosystems.<\/p>\n The findings from the study will help assess the feasibility of restoring the animal to parts of the country where they used to thrive, the trust said.<\/p>\n Along with the South East, suitable habitats have been identified in Gloucestershire, East Yorkshire and East Anglia.<\/p>\n The trust said: “Understanding where suitable habitat exists is a vital first step in assessing whether future reintroductions could be successful.”<\/p>\n Currently, pine martens are largely confined to Scotland, with small populations in England and Wales where they are “critically endangered”, according to the trust.<\/p>\n The South East Pine Marten Restoration Project is a partnership led by Kent Wildlife Trust and Wildwood Trust, with Sussex Wildlife Trust, The Conservators of Ashdown Forest and Forestry England.<\/p>\n Follow BBC Kent on Facebook, external<\/a>, on X, external<\/a>, and on Instagram, external<\/a> and listen to BBC Radio Kent on Sounds<\/a>. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk, external<\/a> or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.<\/p>\n