Pine Martens

Countryfile – Dartmoor: Nestled in the heart of the Devon countryside, Dartmoor stands as a symbol of raw, unspoiled beauty. Its rugged landscape, expansive moorlands, and iconic Dartmoor ponies have long captured the imagination of visitors and locals alike. This week, Countryfile takes you deep into this captivating region to uncover some of the remarkable efforts underway to protect and restore its natural heritage.

Anita Rani joins the Devon Wildlife Trust for a groundbreaking mission that combines cutting-edge technology with age-old conservation practices. Armed with radio scanners and trail cameras, the team is on a quest to locate one of the elusive pine martens reintroduced to Dartmoor earlier this year. These small, nimble creatures, with their silky fur and expressive faces, were once a vital part of Britain’s ecosystem but had all but vanished from the area due to habitat loss and hunting. Now, thanks to an ambitious rewilding project, 15 pine martens roam Dartmoor’s woodlands once more.