Reintroduction of pine martens to Britain will give boost to survival of red squirrels, researchers say

European pine martens, which have been classed as ‘critically endangered’ on the Red List for England’s mammals, have been shown to predate on grey squirrels significantly more than our native red squirrel, according to work carried out by Queen’s University Belfast.

Furthermore, the research showed, although the pine marten hunts both species, during breeding season in the spring and summer it exclusively targets grey squirrels.

Dr Joshua Twining from the School of Biological Sciences who led the research said: “Our results are interesting as they help explain the mechanism underpinning how pine martens are able to regulate invasive grey squirrel populations and give a much-needed boost for another one of its prey species, our native red squirrels.”

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He said red squirrels showed a much greater awareness of the threat posed by pine martens which may have developed over the centuries as the two species adapting to live alongside each other.

“Slim and slender, pine martens are adapted to pursue prey into small ‘hidey holes’, such as dreys, that other predators cannot access,” Dr Twining said.

“With semi-retractable claws, and extremely flexible joints which can turn almost 180 degrees, pine martens have evolved to climb. Although such adaptations make them less efficient at chasing down prey, being the only arboreal predator in Great Britain and Ireland gives them easy access to the refuges of squirrels high up in trees.”

Pine martens are native to Britain and was once one of the most abundant predators in the country but after centuries of persecution and habitat loss only around 100 are thought to be living in England.

In 2017, the first live record of a pine marten in Yorkshire was taken by social enterprise Nature Spy which caught one of the elusive creatures on camera.

The not-for-profit group, which works to research and protect both wildlife and habitats, then received funding to set up a project with the Forestry Commission. There are now 60 cameras positioned over the North York Moors National Park with ten forested areas of the park being monitored.

And while the focus of the Yorkshire project is on obtaining evidence of pine martens in the area, it is also looking at ways that populations of the mammal can be supported, through surveying habitats and food sources, as well as predator-prey relationships.

The research carried out by Queens University was funded by the People’s Trust for Endangered Species (PTES) and grants manager Nida Al-Fulaij said the results were a “ray of hope” for pine martens.

“Not only are they naturally helping to reduce numbers of non-native, introduced species such as grey squirrels but their numbers are finally starting to recover in parts of Britain and Ireland too.

“It’s important we understand exactly how pine martens are faring, which includes their predation habits. Pine martens are desperately in need of our help, but this is very positive step forward in our understanding of this species, which ultimately will help us to conserve them long term.”

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