Letter: The problem with killer pine martens in the New Forest

SIR – Isn't it strange that for its size, the pine marten is probably one of if not the biggest hunter-killer of wildlife in this country?

Its diet is varied: even grey squirrels are on its menu but that is about the only good thing about them.

There is a drive to promote the preservation of small mammals like voles and field mice along with ground nesting birds etc and their eggs. As the martens population grows these animals/birds will decline.

In your article (A&T, 9th December) there are a number of 'conservation' organisations now heralding the success in the breeding of these pine martens in the New Forest.

They are so focused on this endeavour that they seem to be oblivious to the future of other less common animals that they are also trying to preserve, so everyone will pay for this oversight in the long term.

As I stated in my letter that you printed (Letters, 26th August), a parallel problem now exists in the Forest of Dean in Gloucestershire, not with pine martens but with wild boar.

Unlike the martens, they are prolific breeders and are now out of control much to the detriment of the land and humans. Even the much-promised culling programme has not kept their numbers down.

Pine martens are not a threat to humans themselves nor to the land, but to the other small mammals that live in the Forest.

By the time these organisations wake up and smell the coffee, it could be too late.

It is all very well catching them on camera, but in real life who will take the blame when it all goes pear shaped?

John Walsh,

Address supplied