The University of Cumbria has launched a project to help save the few remaining pine martens in the south of the county.

The project has seen 13 healthy adult pine martens, eight females and five males, released into Forestry England's Grizedale Forest and the Rusland Valley.

The animals were recently moved from better established populations in the Scottish Highlands.

(L to R) John Hincks, Mic Mayhew, and Jon Beardsley with pine martens ready for translocation (Image: Supplied) Jenny Williams, Natural England Higher Officer for Species Recovery and Reintroductions in Cumbria, said: "The pine marten is an important part of native fauna and contributes to local species recovery targets.

"They are wonderfully well adapted for life in the woodland, and we are so pleased to see action to secure their return to Cumbria where they were once a frequent sight in the Lake District."

The project is part of a wider movement by landowners and conservation groups to restore nature by reintroducing native species.

Pine martens now inhabit the landscape alongside other reintroduced species like red kites and beavers.

Wayne Penrose, Forestry England North England Ecologist, said: "Re-establishing pine marten populations in Grizedale Forest is very exciting.

"Through sustainable land management, we are creating healthy ecosystems and protecting and improving our woodlands for wildlife to thrive."

Researchers believe that pine martens will assist in the conservation of another native species, the red squirrel.

Dr Mic Mayhew, University of Cumbria researcher and lead of the South Cumbria Pine Marten Recovery Project (SCPMRP), said: "To save our red squirrels we will have to use all available methods to control grey squirrels including ongoing culling and the development of oral contraceptives, but pine martens are a vital nature-based part of the solution.

"Despite concerns by some about the impact of pine martens on remaining red squirrel populations, all the evidence indicates that where pine martens co-exist with red and grey squirrels, they can reduce grey squirrel numbers and allow the reds to thrive."

The SCPMRP aims to support population growth by reintroducing pine martens to their ancestral woodland habitats, allowing them to establish new territories and begin breeding.

Volunteers, vets, and University of Cumbria students will monitor the released pine martens using radio-tracking and remote camera traps to monitor their health, movements, and breeding activity.

University of Cumbria students and volunteers inspect camera traps (Image: Supplied) In order to offer safe breeding sites for the pine martens next spring, a network of den boxes has been set up across the region.

The project is supported by a strong regional partnership, including the Upper Duddon Landscape Recovery Project led by the University of Leeds, Natural England, Cumbria Wildlife Trust, and the Lake District National Park Authority.

John Hodgson, Upper Duddon Landscape Recovery Project Manager and Restoring Hardknott Forest Project Officer from the University of Leeds, said: "The team at Upper Duddon Landscape Recovery often work within sight of Mart Crag and are regularly reminded of this once common species.

"We've been very proud to be involved in this partnership and feel our work in restoring native woodland and improving the habitats of the Upper Duddon will now be able to make a significant contribution to the long-term success of the recovery of the pine marten."

Adam Eagle, chief executive of The Lifescape Project, added: "After years of careful planning we’re delighted to have a member of our team on the ground helping to bring back and look after this wonderful animal as it regains its natural place within the forest ecosystem."