First rare pine martens relocated to mid Wales

Pine martens are being relocated from areas of the Scottish Highlands to Powys and Ceredigion in a bid to save them from extinction in Wales.

The first of 20 have been released into the wild by the Vincent Wildlife Trust and 20 more will follow in autumn 2016.

The mammal is so rare in Wales, conservationists are unable to give population estimates.

Loss of habitat, fur hunting and a cull by gamekeepers in the early 1900s have been blamed for their decline.

Natalie Buttriss, the trust's chief executive, said: "My team of mammal conservationists has been working tirelessly over the last two years to make this happen.

"We have left no stone unturned to ensure that our approach is rigorous, and we have involved a wide range of people in the planning of this project including numerous experts in the field of mammal conservation."

Pine martens need a woodland habitat as they nest in trees and den in tree cavities. They also need an abundance of small mammals and fruit to eat.

The mammals mate in July and August and give birth the following March or April.