At the National Ploughing Championships in Laois today Wednesday (25th September 2013), the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Jimmy Deenihan, T.D. launched a new information leaflet on the pine marten in Ireland.
The pine marten is native to Ireland and is one of our rarest mammals. Once common throughout the country, by the 20th century this species had become extinct from the majority of the island, surviving only in a few isolated and fragmented populations, mainly in the west. This decline was the result of poisoning, persecution, and hunting of martens for their fur and loss of habitat.
Following the introduction of legal protection in 1976, the pine marten population slowly recovered. It is now gradually recolonising Ireland and returning to areas where it has not been seen for decades. It has spread slowly into the midlands and the north-west. In recent years small numbers have reached the east coast.
Speaking at the launch today Minister Deenihan acknowledged that “the pine marten’s spread has brought it into conflict with some poultry farmers and game bird keepers. And resulting from dialogue which took place here at last year's ploughing championships between staff and visitors to our stand we have prepared this useful informative leaflet. The pine martin is protected, so we will never return to the barbaric practices of earlier centuries. This leaflet provides practical advice on how to protect birds from pine martens while staying within the law. If pens are properly constructed, pine martens can be kept out.”
The new leaflet is based on experiences in Scotland where pine martens are widespread and pheasant shooting is a substantial commercial industry. The leaflet contains practical illustrations and advice on effective fencing design as well as up to date information on the pine martens distribution in Ireland.
According to the Head of Animal Ecology in the National Parks & Wildlife Service, Dr Ferdia Marnell, statements about the full recovery of pine martens populations are premature: “Although the marten population is recovering in Ireland, its slow reproduction rate and large territory size means it never reaches high densities. The most recent published estimates put the population at between 3,000 and 5,000 animals. That makes it one of our rarest mammals.”
The pine marten is protected in Ireland by both national and international legislation. Under the Irish Wildlife Acts it is an offence, except under licence, to capture or kill a pine marten, or to destroy or disturb its resting places.
The European Union’s Habitats & Species Directive further obliges Ireland to maintain the favourable conservation status of the pine marten throughout its range.
The leaflet is a joint initiative by the Department of Arts, Heritage & the Gaeltacht and the Vincent Wildlife Trust.
Notes for Editors
The marten, as its Irish name (cat crainn) suggests, spends most of its time in trees. It is found mainly in deciduous and coniferous woodland, but has also adapted to scrubland.
The pine marten is related to the Irish stoat, otter and badger and adults are about the size of a domestic cat. The coat is a rich brown colour, with a large patch of pale-coloured fur over the throat and chest.
Martens have large feet, large ears ringed by pale fur, and a long bushy tail. In summer the coat is sleek and dark brown, except for the throat patch, whilst in winter it is mostly light brown with dense underfur. Martens weigh between 1.0kg-2.2kg and the head and body measure about 60cm, with females lighter and smaller than the males.
Some pine marten facts
• Pine martens are solitary animals.
• Breeding occurs once a year, with two or three kits born in spring.
• Maternity dens are in hollow trees, rabbit burrows, tree roots, rock crevices, and roofs of houses.
• Martens are slow reproducers, males mating in their third year, females in their second.
• Diet is varied and includes berries, fruits, insects, frogs, birds, small mammals and carrion.
The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), section of the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, provides the legislative and policy framework for the conservation of nature and biodiversity in the Republic of Ireland. It also oversees its implementation, based on good science, with particular emphasis on the protection of habitats and species.
The Vincent Wildlife Trust has been playing a key role in mammal conservation in the Republic of Ireland since 1991, specifically bat conservation. VWT staff work independently, but are in close liaison with the National Parks and Wildlife Service. Today, the Trust is currently working on a number of Irish mammal species, including the pine marten.
The Vincent Wildlife Trust, Donaghpatrick, Headford, County Galway
Contact:
Tel: 093 35304, Email: katemcaney@vwt.org.uk
www.mammals-in-ireland.ie