Wild beaver release approved for England

Beavers will be released into the wild in England after the government has approved their reintroduction earlier this month. The decision follows years of trials and will see beavers make an officially approved return to waterways. 

Hunted to extinction in Britain four hundred years ago, beavers have in the last two decades been making a comeback. However, some farmers are concerned that without proper management the large rodents could have negative impacts on food production.

It’s thought that about five hundred beavers already live in England, some in the wild and others in enclosures. Many more are in Scotland, where wild releases are already permitted. Conservationists call beavers “ecosystem engineers” because their dams slow the flow of rivers and streams and create wetland habitats where other creatures can thrive.

The beavers will be released under a licensing system overseen by Natural England who say long term plans will need to be in place to avoid impacts on farming and infrastructure. 

National Farmers Union (NFU) Deputy President David Exwood said: “The NFU recognises that, in the right location, beavers can provide certain benefits and some farmers and landowners may be interested in beaver reintroduction opportunities.

“However, we are concerned about the negative impacts beavers can have on productive farmland, as well as the management requirements, costs and risks involved. Beavers can flood and waterlog fields, feed on agricultural crops like maize, as well as damage and fell trees such as cricket bat willow.”

Derek Gow, one of the UK’s leading reintroduction experts and author of Bringing Back the Beaver, told ST: “The announcement last week that an official process for the licencing and release of European beavers into the wider countryside is the conclusion of another chapter in the twisted tale of this creature’s long overdue return to Britain.

“It will take time for the licensing programme outlined to become truly effective, so as it jogs along it can only be hoped that the idea of beaver reintroduction continues to build momentum in the public consciousness.

“But, while we must relearn to tolerate their astounding activities, we must also be able to manage them effectively when needs be. Hunters play a large part in this process in other nations and there will now, if they so wish, be a need for their participation in England.”