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Pine Marten Kit Found in Powys Bin Is Recovering at Wildlife Hospital

The centre's first pine marten in 42 years signals a slow regional recovery.

Overview

  • The two-week-old male, which weighed 105 grams, reached the Tewkesbury centre on April 21 after a hedgehog carer found him in a bin beside two dead siblings.
  • Staff say he is progressing well under round-the-clock hand-rearing to prevent bonding to people.
  • The hospital expects to keep him until late August, when partner groups will help select a safe release site.
  • Vale Wildlife Hospital says this is its first pine marten admission in nearly 42 years, according to staff member Natalie Gould.
  • Pine martens are rare native mustelids with chocolate-brown fur and a creamy chest bib, and their decline from habitat loss and persecution has given way to slow gains in some UK areas.