THREE wildlife trusts have teamed up to explore the possibility of reintroducing pine martens to the South East.

Kent Wildlife Trust and the Wildwood Trust, in collaboration with Sussex Wildlife Trust, are “assessing” the possibility of restoring the elusive mustelid into the region.

The South East Pine Marten Restoration Project is in its “early stages”, with the trusts currently determining whether the habitat in the South East is suitable for the species.

The trusts are also engaging with residents and stakeholders in the region to gauge their thoughts on a possible reintroduction.

And they are forming a stakeholder working group to allow discussions between key organisations and community groups.

The European pine marten was considered “functionally” extinct in England due to loss of habitat and extensive hunting during the 19th century and the rare animal can be found mainly in Scotland and Ireland today.

Locations the trusts are considering include Ebernoe Common, the New Forest, Ashdown Forest and the High Weald.

A spokesman from Sussex Wildlife Trust said: “We would like to see the restoration of pine martens to the south east of England as they are part of Britain’s natural fauna and play important roles which contribute to a biodiverse environment, by dispersing the seeds they eat as well as influencing small mammal populations through predation as part of their varied diet.

“This project is in its early stages.

“We are currently determining whether the habitat in the South East is suitable for pine martens, and talking to a range of local people and stakeholders about how they feel about pine martens and their potential reintroduction (these are called ecological and social feasibility studies).”