Home / Environment / Worthing Garden Hosts First Pine Marten Sighting in 100 Years
Worthing Garden Hosts First Pine Marten Sighting in 100 Years
21 Jun
Summary
- A rare pine marten was spotted in a Worthing garden.
- This marks the first sighting in East and West Sussex in a century.
- The sighting sparks excitement for reintroducing the species to Sussex.
A rare pine marten has been sighted in a Worthing garden, marking the first observation of the mammal in East and West Sussex in over a century. The creature was seen by a local resident enjoying the sunshine before disappearing.
The pine marten, a medium-sized mammal known for its tree-climbing abilities and nocturnal habits, was once common throughout Britain. However, extensive hunting and habitat destruction led to a sharp decline in their numbers by the 18th and 19th centuries.
According to the Sussex Wildlife Trust, the last recorded sighting in the area was in 1923. The trust is participating in the South East Pine Marten Restoration Project, aiming to reintroduce the species to Sussex.
