A NEW project to help find and track a rare mammal on the North York Moors has urged the public to help fund it.

The crowd-funding project has been launched to raise money for wildlife camera traps.

They can be placed in the forests and trigger when animals pass in front of them, snapping a picture. They can work for months on end.

The pine marten, the second-ratest carnivorous mammal in the UK, has never been officially recorded alive in Yorkshire, but are suspected to be living in the area.

Hannah Henshaw, NatureSpy wildlife biologist, said: “We are confident of finding this wonderful little mammal here.

“Due to how shy the pine marten is, its arboreal lifestyle and large territory, it means we need to cover as large an area as possible.

“More cameras mean a much better chance.

“We also want to involve the public in our search, connect them with our amazing wildlife and wild places and help them feel part of a unique quest.”

To find out more, go to nature-spy.co.uk