Pine martens reintroduced to Devon after 150 years in historic project

Work is under way to make Devon’s roads safer for one of the county’s rarest mammals.

National Highways has teamed up with Devon Wildlife Trust, the Two Moors Pine Marten Project, Animex International and Devon County Council to monitor how pine martens are moving through the landscape after being reintroduced to Dartmoor last year.

Fifteen animals were released in eastern Dartmoor in September 2024, and conservationists recently recorded the first births of pine marten kits in the South West for more than a century. The species had been extinct in the region for around 150 years due to habitat loss and persecution.

But with pine martens known to roam large distances, roads and fast-moving traffic now pose one of their biggest threats. Cameras have been installed around the A38 and A380 near Haldon Forest to track their movements and identify potential safe crossing points. Drivers are also being urged to slow down in the area, particularly at night, dusk and dawn.

Ben Hewlett, National Highways’ Senior Environmental Advisor, said: “While roads have always connected people and places, they are too often a barrier for nature, severing habitats and contributing to the decline in biodiversity. At National Highways, we are committed to protecting and enhancing the ecology and environment around our road network, whether that be nationally or regionally.

“And to assist our conservation partners in Devon, we are working with them to identify any movement patterns of the recently released pine marten population, which could help pinpoint any mitigations needed in the long term.”

Ed Parr Ferris, Conservation Manager for the Devon Wildlife Trust, said: “Pine martens returning to the South West is an exciting demonstration of how we can reverse nature’s decline.

“But we have altered our landscapes tremendously and we need to keep finding solutions to give wildlife the ability to thrive. We know that wildlife will cross roads safely using culverts, underpasses and bridges, where they are available and easy to find and use.”

Councillor Jacqi Hodgson, Devon County Council’s Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Biodiversity, said: “The return of pine martens to Devon through the Two Moors Project is a major step forward in restoring our native wildlife and ecosystems.

“Making the A380 and all of our road network across Devon safer for wildlife is vital not only for the long-term recovery of pine martens, but for many other species, including the much-loved native red squirrels as well.”

The Two Moors Pine Marten Project is led by Devon Wildlife Trust in partnership with Dartmoor and Exmoor National Park Authorities, Forestry England, the National Trust, Somerset Wildlife Trust and the Woodland Trust, with support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

As part of wider environmental schemes, National Highways has also invested in other wildlife projects across the South West, including fish passes on the A38 in Devon and a green bridge for animals on the A30 in Cornwall.

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