Recovery Efforts for the Endangered American Marten

As part of continuing efforts to increase the population of the endangered American marten, four of the animals were released in the Whycocomagh Provincial Park in Whycocomagh, Inverness Co., today, Nov. 25.

The departments of Natural Resources in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, Parks Canada, Trappers Association of Nova Scotia, Mi'kmaq youth and the Unama'ki Institute of Natural Resources participated in the release. Lawrence Wells, an elder from Membertou First Nation, conducted a smudge ceremony and blessed the marten as they were released.

"The American marten is an important part of Nova Scotia's history and we are pleased to be involved in its recovery," said Natural Resources Minister John MacDonell. "The combined efforts of all the partners has made this a very successful recovery program."

The American marten, a member of the weasel family, was placed on the province's endangered species list in 2001. Marten were trapped extensively throughout Nova Scotia since the 1700s until the season was closed in the early 1900s because of low numbers. This year, the third year of a five-year recovery plan, between 30 and 50 American marten are being transferred from New Brunswick to Nova Scotia. Last year, 51 animals were transferred, for a total of 76 in the first two years.

"This recovery plan is helping to bring the population in Cape Breton to the point where it is self-sustaining," said Peter Austin-Smith, biologist with the Department of Natural Resources. "This is the third and last year for releasing martens. The next two years will be spent monitoring the success of the project."

Monitoring will help better understand their movement, activities and population. Community members are asked to participate by reporting marten sightings throughout the province.

For more information on the American marten and other species at risk in Nova Scotia go to http://www.gov.ns.ca/natr/wildlife/