Pennsylvania Game Commission officials are considering a plan to reintroduce a native species of weasel to the state’s woodlands after its disappearance more than 100 years ago.

The American marten, or pine marten, and its potential habitats are being studied to determine if the proposal is feasible. Tom Keller, the commission’s furbearer biologist, recently told the board he is working with a steering committee to further develop the plan.

If the proposal is approved, it’s likely the omnivorous animals would be released on public lands. He also is working on identifying sources of martens.

“We’re continuing to work with those public land holders and build support with them, and then that will help us understand where we can then release martens if we then decide to move forward,” Keller said.

Keller has educational and outreach events about the proposal planned over the coming months to help educate the public on the species. Locally, presentations are planned at 6 p.m. Friday and 11 a.m. Saturday at the Sports, Travel and Outdoor Show in Monroeville. An open house will be at 6:30 p.m. April 4 at the Southwest Regional Office at 4820 Route 711, Bolivar.

That education will be an important piece to getting the public on board, said Barry Warner, public relations director with the Pennsylvania Trappers Association. That group is hoping the reintroduction goes through because American martens can be a beneficial addition to woodlands, he said.

“We’re totally in favor of it coming back,” Warner said.

The commission has been looking into the potential reintroduction since 2022, when a feasibility assessment was completed. Martens are about 2 pounds — the size of a squirrel or mink — and disappeared from the state about 1900, during a period of deforestation and unregulated harvest, according to the game commission.

The animals live in forested areas, composed of coniferous trees or a mixture with deciduous trees, that receive more than 35 inches of snow annually. Research through the assessment found martens typically hunted and ate small mammals, such as mice, and plant material and insects. Grouse and rabbits were not frequent parts of a marten’s diet, and turkey, including eggs and poults, were not identified as prey for a marten, according to the commission.

Reintroducing the species in its native environment would add biodiversity and can contribute to seed dispersal and rodent population management.

A comprehensive plan for reintroduction must be completed by July. The plan will be released afterward to the public for a 60-day review and comment period. A final approval could come as early as January.

Anyone with questions on the potential reintroduction may contact the game commission at pamarten@pa.gov or 717-787-5529.

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