UK's rarest native mammal is being nursed back to health after being rescued from a rubbish bin

By WILL HALLOWELL, NEWS REPORTER Published: 01:45, 4 May 2026 | Updated: 01:45, 4 May 2026 One of the UK's rarest native mammal species has been rescued - from a rubbish bin. The two-week-old pine marten was handed in to a wildlife hospital on April 21 weighing just 105 grams. The tiny kit was found in a rubbish bin with two of his deceased siblings. The pine marten found in Powys, Wales, was then brought into the centre by a hedgehog carer who believed he might be a fox cub. Natalie Gould, who works at the hospital, said a pine marten had never been admitted to The Vale Wildlife Hospital and Rehabilitation Centre in Tewkesbury in 42 years. She said: 'It is our first ever pine marten - adult or baby - in almost 42 years, so it's very exciting. 'He is progressing well and is with one of our hand rearing team, and will stay with her until weaned, when he will start to become more independent, so we become more and more hands off, to ensure he doesn't become imprinted.' Pine martens were once widespread across the UK, however they suffered huge declines due to habitat loss and historic persecution, due to their thick fur. The two-week-old pine marten (pictured) was rescued from a rubbish bin in Powys, Wales He was handed in to a wildlife hospital on April 21 weighing just 105 grams The tiny kit was found in a rubbish bin with two of his deceased siblings Here he is pictured being fed milk through a bottle by workers at The Vale Wildlife Hospital and Rehabilitation Centre in Tewkesbury The wildlife centre says admissions like this show signs that the populations are slowly recovering. Ms Gould said: 'He will likely stay with us - unless we can find another rescue that has a kit of a similar age, which is unlikely - until late August, when we will work with other organisations to find a suitable release site for him.' A post on the hospital's social media page reads: 'One of the UK's rarest native mammals - part of the mustelid family (alongside otters, weasels, and badgers). 'They're agile climbers, spending much of their time in trees, and are known for their beautiful chocolate-brown fur and distinctive creamy "bib" on their chest. 'Pine martens were once widespread across the UK but suffered huge declines due to habitat loss and persecution.  'Thankfully, populations are slowly recovering in some areas, with this kits admission a sign of that. 'For this little one unless we're incredibly lucky enough to find another kit of a similar age (which is rather unlikely, but you never know), he'll remain with us until late August.  'At that point, we'll work with other organisations to find a safe and suitable release site for him. A truly special admission for all of us at Vale Wildlife Hospital.' The wildlife centre says admissions like this show signs that the populations are slowly recovering It is the first pine marten the wildlife hospital has had in 42 years Pine martens are one of the UK's rarest native mammals No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual We will automatically post your comment and a link to the news story to your Facebook timeline at the same time it is posted on MailOnline. To do this we will link your MailOnline account with your Facebook account. We’ll ask you to confirm this for your first post to Facebook. You can choose on each post whether you would like it to be posted to Facebook. Your details from Facebook will be used to provide you with tailored content, marketing and ads in line with our Privacy Policy.