There’s a new face in the forest at Northwest Trek Wildlife Park: Syaʔyaʔ, an American marten estimated to be 1-2 years old. Syaʔyaʔ will make her public debut on Friday, Oct. 17 in the wildlife park’s Forest & Wetlands habitat.

With her long, silky fur, curious brown eyes, and quick, graceful movements, Syaʔyaʔ (pronounced SEE-yut-yuh) is an ambassador for one of North America’s most elusive woodland creatures.

Her name, meaning “friend” in the Lushootseed language, honors the Coast Salish people of the Pacific Northwest, who have cared for the land where Northwest Trek now stands since time immemorial. The Lushootseed spelling uses characters not found on a standard keyboard.

Syaʔyaʔ’s story is one of rescue and renewal. Earlier this year, she was one of 39 animals seized by authorities from a facility in Haines, Alaska. The animals were relocated as part of a broader effort to ensure their safety. They were cared for at the Alaska Zoo in Anchorage, among other facilities in the area, while awaiting permanent placements and receiving care to stabilize their health.

“Syaʔyaʔ came into our care underweight and with several broken teeth,” said Dr. Kadie Anderson, Head Veterinarian at Northwest Trek. “Since her arrival, she’s gained weight, and we’re planning a root canal procedure to treat her dental injuries.”

American martens, also known as pine martens, are small members of the weasel family known for their agility, intelligence, and tree-climbing prowess. They inhabit dense forests across Alaska, Canada, the Great Lakes, New England, and parts of the Rocky and Sierra Nevada Mountains, including forested regions of Washington State.

Martens are excellent climbers, so if guests don’t spot Syaʔyaʔ on the ground, they’re encouraged to look up! Martens are omnivores, feeding on a wide variety of foods ranging from small mammals and birds to berries, insects, and fungi. Their adaptability makes them an important part of the forest ecosystem.