Wildlife charities are pushing for the release of beavers into rivers across England and Wales because they are crucial for healthy ecosystems. Beavers create habitats that support many types of wildlife. However, government delays in reintroducing them worry conservationists.
The Wildlife Trusts are calling for clear plans to reintroduce beavers and protect those already living in the wild. They believe good planning is essential to increase their numbers and restore ecosystems.
This summer, people have spotted more baby beaver, especially in Kent and nature reserves. This increase shows that current conservation efforts are working, but the Wildlife Trusts stress the need for continued support to ensure beaver survive in the wild.
City River’s Baby Beavers Delight Residents
Studies show that beaver can clean water, reduce flooding and drought, and improve habitats for wildlife. Rob Stoneman from the Wildlife Trusts says that although they offer these benefits, confining them in enclosures or allowing illegal releases without proper plans limits their impact.
Laws also prevent releasing beavers into the wild in most areas, except Scotland. This restriction stops them from helping local ecosystems and communities.
London Sees First Baby Beavers in 400 Years.
Beaver vanished from Britain around 400 years ago because people hunted them for their meat and fur. Recently, they have started to return, either in fenced nature reserves or through unlicensed releases. Today, you can find hundreds of wild beaver in English rivers and over 1,000 in Scotland.
This summer, new beaver births have been reported in Ealing, Canterbury, and the Cairngorms. Even though England recognized beavers as a native species in 2022, there is still no official plan for their reintroduction.
In England, the only “official” beaver population is on the River Otter in Devon, where escapees are allowed to stay. In other areas, wild beavers remain in a state of uncertainty, with no formal plans or legal status for their release.
A Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs official says the government wants to restore nature and support bringing back species that help the environment and people. They are working with Natural England to improve plans for reintroducing beaver in England.
Farmers and landowners worry that beaver might damage crops and cause local flooding. To help with these concerns, Devon Wildlife Trust suggests supporting communities by rewarding landowners who make space for beaver.
In Wales, officials have not yet recognized them as a native species, so they do not have formal protection. This lack of recognition affects efforts to reintroduce and manage beavers.