Hunters drove beavers to extinction in England during the 16th century. The animals were valuable for their thick pelts, scent glands, and meat. Recently, the government authorized the National Trust to release two pairs of Eurasian beavers.
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The beavers were released at Purbeck in Dorset, marking the first time they will roam freely in England in nearly 500 years. Earlier enclosed releases have created a comeback, but these are the first official wild releases.
As nature’s engineers, beavers are vital to natural ecosystems. Their dam-building expertise creates wetlands that support many animal species. Beaver dams also impact climate change by helping wetlands hold water. They also serve as natural water filtration, improving water quality as it travels downstream.
The new beavers will live at Little Sea, an 82-acre lake in England’s Super National Nature Reserve. The Beaver Trust raised them in Scotland’s River Tay catchment, and the release was a coordinated effort over many years.
The reintroduction of beavers in England began with enclosed trial releases in 2018. Two Eurasian beavers were introduced in the Forest of Dean at Greathough Brook. This trial kept the beavers in an enclosed area. Trail cams throughout the 15-acre enclosed area help monitor activity and impact.
A second enclosed release began in April 2019. This trial involved releasing two adult beavers into Cropton Forest in Yorkshire. The results have been astonishing, with increased water levels and an upsurge in amphibian numbers.
The increase in amphibians has brought herons, otters, and tawny owls into the area to feed. The higher water levels have brought teal and mandarin ducks into the area. The success of the trials led to this historic release into the wild.
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