Pine Martens & Nature Tampering

[Khandro]

This should be done with due caution, their only UK habitat is the Scottish highlands at the moment and it would be better if it stayed that way. I live in an area where they abound (and are a protected species) The blighters have a predilection for climbing into car's engine bays and chewing through electric cables causing not only great expense but high danger.
I have twice had the pleasure of their attention, in my case expensive but not dangerous because the car simply wouldn't start, but my neighbour's car cut out suddenly at speed on the Autobahn when his electrics failed.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/2018/03/07/predatory-pine-martens-could-save-red-squirrel/

[Old_Geezer]

Sounds high risk to me.
Once introduced they'd be a difficult to try to eradicate again if they proved a mistake. Probably as difficult as eradicating the greys directly.

[rowanwitch]

We are only correcting some of the damage we have created. I can't wait for wolves and lynx to be reintroduced. You can't just bring a species or a group of species back without the system's apex predator. It's why deer and now wild boar are becoming a problem in some areas

[youngmafbog]

I have the answer to deer and wild boar, currently got some in the freezer.

Personally I think we should learn from the past on tampering with Nature. As pointed out above by just taking one species and ignoring the fodd chain around it can have unforeseen consequences (and I dont just mean your engine!).

[melv16]

The problem with reintroducing apex predators is that they don't always kill the intended prey.
Why would a wolf chase after a deer when there's a juicy, easy to catch sheep on the menu?

[snags]

''Once introduced they'd be a difficult to try to eradicate again if they proved a mistake''

Anyone for a Cane Toad?

[Chipchopper]

I'm fully in favour of the re-introduction of the pine marten in suitable habitat throughout the UK.
If wiring had a taste that deters animals from nibling the coating, then surely this would be the best answewe ?

[Chipchopper]

Oops, i meant answer^

[Khandro]

Chip; That's quite a big ask if you think it through.
Automotive shops sell devices to scare them away -not always successfully- (btw, Pine martens are called Marders in Germany)

https://www.amazon.de/Marder-Sicher-LED-Blitzlichtfunktion-Ultraschall-Mardersicher/dp/B00G3I1X7W/ref=sr_1_1?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1520417269&sr=1-1&keywords=electronic+marder+scarers

Some people make a 2"x 1" wooden frame and tack to it a sheet of chicken wire and slide it between the front wheels under the engine which would mean they would have to walk on the chicken wire to access the engine bay, which they don't like and will instead find another car to attack, but that's a bit laborious every night.
It's not only the wiring though, they ripped to bits all the sound-proofing material from under my bonnet causing a hell of a mess.

[Chipchopper]

It can be a fine line between tampering with nature or giving nature a helping hand.
The way I see it, is: man has caused the decline of the pine marten in the UK, largely due to habitat destruction and therefore should be responsible for reintroducing this native species. If it reduces the destructive alien grey squirrel this would be an added bonus

[rowanwitch]

The most important thing is planting more forests and woodlands with natural corridors Joining them, restoring hedgerows and leaving wild field margins, and if farmers are worried about big predators attacking their sheep,a few Maremmas or other big herd dogs should deal with that. Countries where the big predators are still around have used herd dogs for centuries.

[tamborine]

I found a pine marten in my garden (Windsor) that I posted on here awhile ago with pic for ID. Cant find op tho.

[Peter Pedant]

// but my neighbour's car cut out suddenly at speed on the Autobahn when his electrics failed. //

and when he said mein gott !
all his neighbours laughed at him and said : during the war you wouldnt believe what the allies did to us .......

[tamborine]

http://tinypic.com/r/idamv8/9

[tamborine]

https://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Animals-and-Nature/Question1540070.html

[Khandro]

P.P. In the interests of grammar, you should know that Gott is a noun and all nouns in German must be capitalised.
Vee hav vays of making you obey siz rule.