It has red fur, a bushy tail and hasn’t lived in Pa. for more than 100 years. That may be about to change

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It’s got reddish fur, a bushy tail and they say it hasn’t lived naturally around these parts for more than 100 years.

And it just might be about to make a comeback.

The Pennsylvania Game Commission released a video this week highlighting notes from its study into the reintroduction of the American marten into the wild in the Keystone State.

It said in the video that public support is at 92 percent for the move.

And why not?

The Martens are really kind of cute, and they are a neat member of the weasel family. The commission says they are about the size of a fox squirrel, and there was a time they were really quite common here. They are omnivores who eat mice, insects and plant material. It said the animals don’t typically pose a threat to wild turkeys

But they prefer diverse forests, and the commission said that by the beginning of the 20th century extensive deforestation and unregulated harvesting caused them to disappear. They estimate the animals haven’t been in Pa. for more than 120 years.

“The marten acts as a flagship species, bringing benefits to many other species that require a healthy and diverse forest,” the commission said in a video. “Like the elk and bald eagle, a potential reintroduction opportunity to benefit the wildlife viewing community and outdoor recreation industry.

“This is an opportunity to bring an icon back to Penn’s woods,” the video finished by saying. “And experience Pennsylvania’s wilds in a new and wonderful way.”

So, maybe soon enough, this cool animals will be back where they belong.

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