CORVALLIS, Ore. (KATU) — Oregon State University researchers from the Institute for Natural Resources led a three-month project in 2022 to collect information about the coastal marten. Researchers gathered population and habitat data in a 150 square mile area near the northern California town of Klamath.
“Genetic analysis of the hair identified 46 different martens, 28 males and 18 females,” Oregon State University stated. “Martens were found throughout the study area and were most numerous at high elevations along forested ridgetops with consistent winter snowpack, and at lower elevations in ravines and riparian areas in coastal forests.”
The coastal marten is a ferret sized forest carnivore “renowned for its cuteness.” Officials say it nearly went extinct due to human activity…