Pine Marten (Martes martes)
Key Details
| Taxonomic Groups: | Vertebrate > terrestrial mammal > Carnivorous mammal |
| Red List Status: | Least Concern (Not Relevant) [LC(nr)] |
| D5 Status: | Included in the baseline Red List Index for England (Wilkins, Wilson & Brown, 2022) |
| Section 41 Status: | (not listed) |
| Taxa Included Synonym: | (none) |
| UKSI Recommended Name: | Martes martes |
| UKSI Recommended Authority: | (Linnaeus, 1758) |
| UKSI Recommended Qualifier: | (none specified) |
| Red List Citation: | Mathews & Harrower, 2020 |
| Notes on taxonomy/listing: | (none) |
Criteria
| Question 1: | Does species need conservation or recovery in England? |
| Response: | Yes |
| Justification: | The pine marten has only recovered a small part of its former range in England, mainly in the far north and through a reintroduction in Gloucestershire. This reintroduction has shown that such efforts can be successful and provided useful insights for future projects. In Wales, pine martens have also been reintroduced, where the population is starting to establish and spread. These successes in Gloucestershire and Wales suggest that further reintroductions in other suitable areas could help the pine marten population recover across England. |
| Question 2: | Does recovery/ conservation depend on species-specific actions? |
| Response: | Yes |
| Justification: | A number of species-specific actions have been included in the Long-term strategic recovery plan for pine martens, including conflict management, awareness raising and further reintroductions to priority areas. These actions address already identified species-specific pressures. |
| Question 3: | At a landscape scale, would the species benefit from untargeted habitat management to increase habitat mosaics, structural diversity, or particular successional stages? |
| Response: | Yes |
| Justification: | Woodland, scrub and rough grassland are all important habitats for pine martens and their prey species. Larger contiguous woodland areas would create better conditions for pine martens to establish larger territories and come together in mating season while avoiding road deaths. |
Species Assessment
| Current step on the Species Recovery Curve (SRC): | 6. Recovery solutions trialled |
| Recovery potential/expectation: | Low - Life history factor/s |
| National Monitoring Resource: | Combination - insufficient |
| Species Comments: | national recovery plan produced 2021 detailing further actions which, if implemented, will have a positive effect (MacPherson and Wright, 2021). |
Key Actions
Key Action 1
Proposed Action: Provide training and guidance to landowners, farmers, gamekeepers and hunters to raise awareness of effective predator-proofing of game or poultry pens, and the risks of incidental trapping and killing during control of other species (i.e. fox, grey squirrel control) in areas where the species is present, and where potential reintroductions may occur.
Action targets: 8. Species recovering
Action type: Education/awareness raising
Duration: >10 years
Scale of Implementation: National
High priority sites: Gloucestershire, New Forest, Welsh borders and Hampshire
Comments: This should be aimed at landowners, farmers, gamekeepers and hunters who need to know about predator proofing and avoiding incidental trapping. Additionally, wildlife managers and local communities in areas with existing or potential pine marten populations should be informed about conflict management and coexistence strategies. Additionally, note that rat poison around pheasant pens contributes to unintended killing.
Key Action 2
Proposed Action: Create a centralised database for the collection of samples for disease monitoring and to build collateral for future genetic research. This will enable early detection and management of potential disease outbreaks, ensuring the health and sustainability of pine marten populations.
Action targets: 4. Autecology and pressures understood
Action type: Scientific research
Duration: >10 years
Scale of Implementation: National
High priority sites: Gloucestershire, New Forest, Welsh borders and Hampshire
Comments: A robust genetic database will support long-term conservation strategies, facilitate studies on genetic diversity and resilience and help inform targeted breeding programmes to strengthen the species adaptation to changing environments. The objective would not be to proactively seek and collate extensive genetic samples but to ensure that opportunistically sourced samples are analysed consistently and the results stored centrally to be drawn upon for future research. Resource would be needed to set up and communicate the centralised database and to provide resource and information to equip institutions and organisations to collect or receive samples of dead animals, conduct necropsies and submit their findings to the database.
Key Action 3
Proposed Action: Implement a public education programme around potential release sites and areas of potential colonisation by existing populations to tackle misconceptions and myths about pine martens. This initiative will highlight their ecological benefits by providing accurate information and addressing common fears. The programme should aims to foster a positive attitude towards reintroduction efforts. Engaging the community through workshops, informational materials and events will encourage local support and co-operation.
Action targets: 7. Best approach adopted at appropriate scales
Action type: Education/awareness raising
Duration: >10 years
Scale of Implementation: National
High priority sites:
Comments: To be decided as potential release sites are identified.
Acknowledgment:
Data used on this website are adapted from Threatened species recovery actions 2025 baseline (JP065): Technical report and spreadsheet user guide (Natural England, 2025). Available here.