A CROWD-funding project has been launched to boost efforts to finding the elusive pine marten on the North York Moors.

The project, launched by the organisation NatureSpy, aims to raise money for wildlife camera traps which can then be placed in the forests.

These special cameras trigger when animals pass in front of them, snapping a picture and can work all day and night for months on end.

The pine marten, the second-rarest carnivorous mammal in the UK, has never been officially recorded alive in Yorkshire, although there are regular sightings. A dead pine marten was discovered by a roadside here in 1993.

"We are confident of finding this wonderful little mammal here," said NatureSpy Wildlife Biologist, Hannah Henshaw.

"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."

The existing project cameras have already captured wildlife such as the badger, roe deer, buzzard and tawny owl.

Pine martens resemble ferrets or stoats, but are significantly larger, with adults growing over two feet in length, and sport a bushy tail.

To learn more about the project and see how you can help, visit www.nature-spy.co.uk.