The pine marten is a carnivorous, arboreal (tree-living) member of the weasel family. It was once widespread in Britain but now it is rare. 

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Protection for Pine Martens

Pine Martens are found throughout Scotland in good numbers, particularly in northern and central Scotland, but they are only present in very low numbers in small areas of northern England and Wales. It is difficult for them to recolonise areas in England from which they have completely disappeared, these being isolated from the remaining populations. In 2020, the first pine martens to be reintroduced to England have had kits, marking a milestone in efforts to boost their recovery.

It has been suggested that humans could help by releasing captive-bred animals into suitable forests; this is already being carried out with other British mammals such as the otter and dormouse.

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