THE first pine marten kits have been born on Exmoor since the animals were reintroduced last autumn after a 150-year absence.

A Two Moors Pine Marten Project volunteer captured footage of a mother and her four kits as they explored their woodland territory.

Pine martens have kits in spring which stay in their dens for the first seven to eight weeks before emerging in summer.

A spokesperson said: “To see four kits with their mum is highly unusual and suggests that Exmoor is the perfect home for these animals.

“We are also thrilled to add that the pine martens on Dartmoor, which were reintroduced in 2024, have bred successfully for the second time and a video of a mother and two kits has been recorded by local residents.

“To have breeding pine martens on both Exmoor and Dartmoor after a century’s absence signals a positive step in nature’s recovery.

“It is a testament to the many hours of work undertaken by the project partnership and local volunteers, and a hopeful sign that the population will slowly grow as pine martens re-establish themselves in their former range.”

The project released 19 pine martens on Exmoor last September in secret locations owned by the National Trust and Exmoor National Park Authority.

Pine martens have been secretly reintroduced to Exmoor after 150 years.
Pine martens secretly reintroduced to Exmoor after 150 years are now breeding. PHOTO: Mark Hamblin.

Two Moors Pine Marten Project field officer Ali North said: “These clips were recorded on cameras being monitored by one of our brilliant project volunteers.

“We were incredibly excited to finally see kits after so many months of intensive monitoring.

“Mothers give birth in March or April and have on average two to three kits, so to see four with their mum was an amazing sight and suggests that Exmoor is the perfect home for these animals.

“The news of breeding pine martens marks a wonderful moment for our project staff, our project partners, and the dozens of volunteers who have worked with us to bring this native animal back.

“This has been a community effort with local people helping us in a series of key tasks ranging from building pine marten den boxes to installing and regularly checking remote cameras.

Devon Wildlife Trust field officer Ali North is holding drop-in sessions about plans to release pine martens on Exmoor.
Two Moors Pine Marten Project field officer Ali North says the breeding success of pine martens reintroduced to Exmoor is an incredibly exciting moment. ( )

“There are a whole host of ways woodland owners can continue to help pine martens recover and we would encourage anybody interested to get in touch.”

Exmoor National Park Authority senior ecologist Ali Hawkins said: “Seeing pine martens breeding on Exmoor is a hugely encouraging milestone for nature recovery in the national park.

“While this is very positive news, the population remains small and vulnerable, so continued public support and reporting of sightings will be vital as we help this native species re-establish itself.”

National Trust restore nature delivery manager Nigel Garnsworthy said: “This milestone reflects the strength of partnership working across the Two Moors Pine Marten Project and the dedication of volunteers, landowners, and conservation organisations working together to restore nature at a landscape scale.”

The project offers small grants of up to £500 for community and nature groups, schools, businesses, and landowners to support pine marten recovery, with applications for the next round closing on October 1.