Natural England has issued two further licences to release beavers in south-west England as part of an ongoing government programme to reintroduce the species, with releases carefully managed by the organisation
The beavers are expected to be released in the coming weeks.
This follows the first licensed release of wild Eurasian beavers in Dorset last year after a landmark government decision to allow wild beaver release after centuries of absence from south-west England waterways.
According to Natural England, beavers are prodigious ecosystem engineers and proven climate champions, creating natural flood defences and building wetlands which are thriving havens for wildlife.
Beavers are known as a keystone species because the habitats they create benefit myriad other species.
Beavers in England
They were once abundant in England but became extinct due to overhunting.
Chief executive of Natural England, Marian Spain said:”Reintroducing beavers to South West England is a significant milestone with the potential to make a huge difference to nature recovery in the region.”
Spain added that the successful return of beavers will all depend on well-planned, collaborative projects built on engagement and trust.
Nature Minister Mary Creagh also commented on the initiative, saying: “Beavers bring extraordinary benefits to our natural landscapes – they create havens for other wildlife, help reduce the impact of flood and droughts, and improve water quality in our rivers.
“The return of beavers is a vital part of this government’s mission to protect and restore nature. I look forward to these projects getting going and more future beaver releases.”
The return of the beavers is being carefully managed to minimise any potential conflict with farming, food production and infrastructure.
Natural England has said they have identified 32 projects with potential to meet the beaver wild release criteria, and 11 have already been invited to apply, prioritising well-planned and well-resourced projects where the benefits outweigh the risks.
This gradual approach allows local communities time to adapt, building trust and ensuring that beavers become a permanent and valued part of the landscape.
