Unfortunately, its body was not recovered so we were not able to obtain a sample for DNA analysis to establish where it had come from. It’s possible it may have been a stowaway on a ship, we just don’t know.
Pine martens were once common throughout Britain, but the clearance of our woodlands and widespread persecution diminished the population to such an extent that it is now extremely rare in England. Translocation projects are beginning to help natural re-colonisation elsewhere, but populations are still very small.
A positive sighting, therefore, in Suffolk could be of great importance, so we’re asking everyone to keep an eye out and to obtain photos or camera trap footage if at all possible.
What does a pine marten look like?
They are about the size of a medium-sized cat, with a slim body and long tail. They are a rich chocolate brown in colour, with a cream-coloured bib and prominent, cream-edged, round ears with cream fur inside.
They can be found in forests, woodland and scrub habitats where, as an omnivore, they search for fruit, berries, small mammals, rabbits and amphibians. They are brilliant climbers and will hunt for birds and birds eggs, too.
Similar species that can be confused with a pine marten are polecats and ‘polecat ferrets’.
