NGO write to the National Lottery Heritage Fund regarding pine marten translocation projects

More News

The NGO have written to the Chief Executive of the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Eilish McGuinness, regarding the allocation of £1.8 million in Heritage Lottery funding to the Two Moors Project, which involves the reintroduction of pine martens in Devon.

The NGO strongly believes that this project does not align with the IUCN’s guidelines for species reintroductions, which the government is signed up to. These clearly state that any reintroduction project must take into account factors such as ecological suitability, species viability, and the potential for negative impacts on the local environment and biodiversity.

The NGO are not against the translocation of animals, particularly when it is for conservation reasons or to reinforce a struggling population. However, it is paramount that reintroduced species are compatible with their new habitat, that they benefit local ecosystems, and that their introduction is carefully managed to mitigate potential harm to any other species. The curlew headstarting projects, which aim to reintroduce our largest wading bird back to the south of England, are a prime example of this.

In terms of the Two Moors Project, the NGO believes that there was a lack of thorough consultation with the local community. This lack of early engagement has led to widespread opposition to the project, which should have been addressed before any significant funding was allocated.

We also believe that there was a disregard for the pine marten’s potential impact on vulnerable species already present on Dartmoor. Dartmoor is home to several rare and vulnerable species such as the greater horseshoe bat, dormice and curlews, all of which may be adversely affected by the introduction of a predatory species like the pine marten.

We urge the National Lottery Heritage Fund to reassess its funding criteria for projects such as this, ensuring they comply fully with the IUCN’s guidelines for species reintroductions and take into account the views of local communities and the wider ecological impacts.

For any translocation project, it is vital that it involves the right species, for the right reasons, and in the right location. It is also imperative that any translocations follow IUCN guidelines. When this is not done, we end up with situations where other endangered species are pushed to the brink due to higher levels of predation or where governments end up paying out for losses endured by farmers due to newly increased numbers of predating species.