Climate change my ass. Habitat destruction, natural dessication, LA sucking down all the water...
Posted on 02/01/2026 2:38:09 PM PST by nickcarraway
After decades of mystery surrounding its existence, a rare animal once believed to be extinct has been confirmed on remote trail cameras in northern California, offering a thrilling sign of wildlife resilience. Scientists say the coastal marten — a small carnivorous mammal that nearly vanished from the state — was captured in recent footage and DNA samples collected via hair snares, validating that wild populations still persist in the region. The discovery has brought renewed hope for the species and underlines the value of modern conservation tools.
Once targeted nearly to extinction during the 20th-century fur trade, coastal martens were long feared gone from their historic territories, including parts of Oregon and California. The new trail camera evidence confirms that these elusive creatures are still roaming — surprising scientists and animal lovers alike.
Researchers from Oregon State University (OSU) conducted an extensive multi-year study that combined remote trail cameras and genetic analysis from hair snare samples to locate the martens. The study focused on an approximately 150-square-mile area east of Klamath, California, where scientists monitored wildlife for three months. Using trail cameras to trigger images and tape-and-wire snares to collect fur, researchers were able to both photograph and genetically confirm multiple individuals of this rare species.
The detailed data revealed 46 individual martens — including 28 males and 18 females — scattered across parts of the study area. The animals showed a preference for forested ridgetops with winter snowpack as well as ravines and riparian zones at lower elevations, suggesting still suitable habitat remains in these rugged landscapes.
Coastal martens, also known as Humboldt martens, once numbered far more abundantly in West Coast forests before intense trapping and habitat destruction decimated their ranks. While rediscoveries in the late 1990s hinted they may still exist, scientists have had limited ability to study their numbers and movement patterns — until now.
Despite these encouraging findings, coastal martens remain listed as threatened under the federal Endangered Species Act and their total population in California is estimated at around 500 individuals, representing only about 5% of their historic range. This tiny population size underscores the continuing fragility of the species.
Threats Remain Despite Hopeful Signs
Researchers warn that martens still face a suite of threats that could hinder recovery. Climate change is driving longer, hotter fire seasons and altering forest structures that the species depends on. Wildfires, development, increased road networks, and rodenticide poisoning from human activity pose additional dangers to these small mammals. Disease and vehicle collisions also contribute to their ongoing vulnerability.
Oregon State University wildlife ecologist Sean Matthews noted that even basic questions about their ecology — such as which forests they occupy and whether populations are growing — remain unanswered. The new genetic and camera data will be used to better understand current marten distribution and inform future conservation decisions.
Trail Cameras Help Conservation Efforts
The success of this research highlights the growing role of remote trail cameras and non-invasive DNA sampling in tracking elusive wildlife. Placed discreetly in remote forests, these tools allow scientists to monitor species that would otherwise be nearly impossible to study due to their secretive behavior and sparse numbers.
By pairing imagery with DNA evidence, researchers can build stronger population estimates and identify key habitat uses, empowering wildlife managers to implement targeted protective measures. In the case of coastal martens, this approach is helping turn decades of uncertainty into actionable science that could shape the species’ future.
Conclusion: The rediscovery of the coastal marten in northern California is a testament to the importance of sustained wildlife monitoring and science-based conservation. Although these animals still face significant dangers, confirmed sightings and genetic evidence remind us that even species once assumed lost can persist against the odds — but only if we commit to protecting them and the forests they call home.
short tailed weasel (ermine), we have one on our property
New Year’s Eve took down a rabbit at least 3x its size, killed and dragged it into our basement window well, drank its blood
propped up the rabbit’s rear end so the blood would run down to the neck penetration
really cute, vicious predator
Ok but if it is so effective then what about getting a trail video of Bigfoot?
A billion dollars to study and 500 billion to fund an organization to stop every single construction project in the state.
And even though thought extinct, humanity carried on.
Fisher (also known as Fisher Cats) although they are a part of the weasel family. Not a cat.
They are vicious predators.
They ambush their prey by waiting up in a tree.
Then come down the tree and kill their prey.
They are very common here in NH.
The Manchester double A baseball team is named the Fischer Cats.
They have become very adaptive here.
Preying on house cats.
My in laws lost a cat to a Fischer.
They could tell because they found a pool of blood at the base of a tree in their backyard fifty feet from the house.
No more Fluffy.
You also see people that put up posters on telephone polls and post on Facebook.
Missing cat.
If found call...
What they may not realize IF they are new to town or they just don’t want to tell the kids is that Fluffy was dinner.
The same thing happens around here with Coyotes.
We had three cats go missing at our previous house.
Not a trace.
No carcass on the road.
Just gone.
FYI, the Fischer has a blood curdling cry.
It sounds like a baby crying.
Democrat with a brain?
I thought the headline was referring to a Republican.
Yes I have heard their yelp, cry, whatever. From my friends videos. Seems like a real (blank). Glad I live in the city.
Climate change my ass. Habitat destruction, natural dessication, LA sucking down all the water...
Hillary Clinton?!
lets do that with illegals instead
Oh, they’re all over, but find one with a SPINE...?
Now THAT’S an endangered species!
If we ever see them that will probably be how.
We put up a couple of spare trail cams in the back 40 near the river but did not expect much. Boy, were we wrong.
Still no Bigfoot but lots of other critters.
Including some humans that we would have rather not seen.
No....we breed them. Over and over...Money is no object. And now that we have them....what do we do??
“Rare Animal Once Thought Extinct is Seen on Trail Cam in California”
Was it a REPUBLICAN? *SMIRK*
We have Pine Martens at our cabin in Northern Wisconsin, so I knew what it was before even reading the article.
Which IS SOP around here, Right? ;)
We have fisher cats in Maine, too.
I’ve never seen one; they’re called “The Ghost of the Woods.”
That fischercat presents a lotta competition for the hatian migrants
We have fishers in Oneida County (central NY). One went after my neighbor’s cats. First time I heard it screaming in the middle of the night freaked me out. I’ve only seen it once.
The rare California Republican (Republicanus Californiensis) was spotted in its natural habitat, the rural area. Almost never spotted in larger urban centers, Republicanus Californiensis moves in small packs of six to twelve hunters, always wary of the close approach of its nemesis, California Leftist (Idiotus Magnus) which spends most of its days planning high speed rail and avoids rural areas because of the poor internet reception.
Guess they were hunted into extinction. Wealthy women had Marten furs, if not coats, then scarves.
I hate the idea of wearing dead animals.
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