Pine marten 'resurrection' after nearly being wiped out by guns, strychnine, and habitat destruction

A plurality of martens is called a ‘richness’ — an odd term for this most solitary of mammals. The name may refer to the money that was to be made from selling its luxurious pelt

The pine marten (cat crainn) — was saved here ironically, by the planting of alien conifers, which gave martens a safe haven.
Picture: Ruth Hanniffy Photography

Nothing lasts. More than 99% of the animal species, which once existed, are extinct. Their decline has been accelerating ever since our ancestors came down from the trees. Creatures are disappearing now over a thousand times faster than they did back then. Ours is an age of extinction.

Dinosaurs and the dodo are famous among the faithful departed.