Gros Morne National Park of Canada

Distribution and Abundance of the American Marten (Martes americana) in the Greater Gros Morne Ecosystem

Background

The insular Newfoundland population of American marten ( Martes americana ) is endangered and estimates suggest the population may be less than 300 individuals. Loss of habitat and accidental mortality in snares and traps set for other species are factors limiting recovery of the Newfoundland marten. Historically, marten were found in Gros Morne National Park of Canada (NPC) and surrounding landscape. Recent investigations and anecdotal evidence suggests a small population for the area. A population of marten, in the park area could contribute to a Western Newfoundland metapopulation and hence to marten recovery. To determine the status of this marten population and to provide management direction, the distribution and abundance of marten in the greater Gros Morne ecosystem was investigated using bait station and live trapping methods.

Captured female marten.
© Parks Canada / Todd Gallant, 2001

Project Goal

• Determine the distribution and relative abundance of marten in selected areas of the greater Gros Morne ecosystem.

Project Description

In winter/spring of 2001, bait stations were set up in seven areas, while live trapping was conducted in one area (Figure 2). Marten presence was confirmed for three bait station areas along the eastern boundary of the park (Aides Lake, Whites River and Big Barren). Marten tracks were observed at five bait stations and at seven other locations in these areas. In the Upper Humber trapping area, two marten were captured during 188 trap nights. One male marten was captured in Gros Morne NPC, while the other, a female, was captured just outside the eastern boundary. During the fall of 2001 and winter/spring of 2002, four areas (Aides Lake-Whites River, Big Barren, Lomond and Upper Humber) were live trapped to determine relative abundance of marten. Only one marten, a male, was captured despite a trapping effort of 597 trap nights. This animal was captured in the Aides Lake area.

No marten were captured in the southern park area even though it contains a large amount of suitable habitat. In the southern park area, snaring and trapping, habitat loss and fragmentation, loss of connectivity, and distance from a source population are likely limiting the natural establishment of marten. In the eastern boundary area of Gros Morne NPC there is an established marten population. The core of this population occurs in the Main River watershed (Pine Marten Study Area) and as such that area is essential for the continued presence of marten in the eastern part of GMNPC.

Funding for this project was provided by:

• Gros Morne National Park
• Corner Brook Pulp and Paper
• The Western Newfoundland Model Forest.
• Parks Canada Species at Risk Recovery Fund , a program supporting the National Strategy for the Protection of Species at Risk.
• Newfoundland and Labrador Department of Forest Resources and Agifoods - Ecosystem Health Division
• Newfoundland and Labrador Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation - Parks and Natural Areas Division and the Wildlife Division.