The Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) placed the Newfoundland population of marten on their list of Threatened species in 1986. At that time, the population estimate was 800 marten. By 1995 the marten population had declined to just 300 animals. The status of the marten was uplisted to Endangered in 1996.
Marten were once an economically important furbearing species on the island. Known as "marten cats" or "wood cats", they were trapped for their fur. However, by 1934 it was recognized that population was declining and the cmmercial hunt was halted. Despite this action, however, marten numbers have been slow to recover. The major threats to the population today are generally agreed to be; 1) death from accidental snaring and trapping and 2) habitat loss.
Note: The marten population in the Labrador portion of the province (Martes americana) is still at healthy numbers.
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ŠNewfoundland Marten Education Committee - 2003
Updated 2005
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