| New Technology On The Trail Of The Pine Martens |
| Monday, August 25, 2008 at 15:41 by Mark Benson |
While the mammal known as the Pine Marten was believed to have been extinct in England just a couple of years ago it seems that all may not be lost with news of sightings on the North York Moors. But how do you catch these rarest of mammals in the UK?
Nature and technology have come together with Forestry Commission wardens placing a number of infra-red operated cameras around the moors, next to feeding stations and near areas where these mammals have been ‘sighted'. While the project has been underway in one form or another for 3 years it is only recently that new technology has been introduced to the mix.
The high spec cameras are being fitted next to trees and targeted at areas where the Pine Martens are thought to roam – the Pine Marten looks like a cross between a ferret and a stoat but is much bigger in stature. When the infra-red beams are broken the camera will click and capture the culprit with high hopes that wardens will be able to locate the comeback kings of the animal kingdom. So what are they using to entice these mammals out into the open?
Good old fashioned jam sandwiches! |
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