Newfoundland Marten

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The Newfoundland Marten is one of only 14 mammals native to the island. Marten were historically distributed throughout most forested regions of the island, including Terra Nova National Park, but are now restricted to a few isolated areas. Only 300 animals are estimated to remain on the island and it has been designated as "endangered" by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada.

The goal of our recovery project in TNNP/eastern Newfoundland is to establish a population of 50 animals by the year 2010. In 1996 we initiated an intensive live trapping effort to investigate the number and distribution of marten that occurred in our study area. We have also investigated the types of habitat used, the amount of territory required, and dispersal patterns of juvenile animals using radio-telemetry. Since the project began, marten numbers have increased from just 5 in 1996, to approximately 25-30 in 2004 and again to approximately 45 - 50 in 2007 . Though the population is still well below viability, the trend is encouraging.

We have also focused considerable effort on public awareness and education through park interpretive programs, school presentations, and the development of web-sites (www.newfoundlandmarten.com), brochures, magazine articles and television advertisements. Support for this project has been provided by the Heritage Foundation for Terra Nova National Park, Parks Canada, World Wildlife Fund Canada (Endangered Species Recovery Fund - www.wwf.ca), and the province of Newfoundland and Labrador. Heritage Foundation staff involved with this project include Tyrone Mulrooney and Ross Collier. The project is coordinated by the terrestrial biologist for TNNP; John Gosse.

Click here for information on our Adopt-A-Marten Program.