Beaver Release Approved for Somerset and Devon Wild Habitats

Beavers can now get licenses to live in the wild. These animals help the environment by building dams. The government will support farmers who have beavers on their land. They will also plan how to manage wild beavers.

Beavers disappeared from Britain about 400 years ago. People hunted them for fur, meat, and glands. Beavers have returned to some rivers due to escapes, and England legally protected them in 2022.

Conservationists wanted beavers back in the countryside. They wanted them to help wildlife and benefit people. Beavers create dams and ponds, which helps many animals, like water voles.

Beaver dams slow water flow, which reduces flood risks downstream. They also store water during droughts and can purify polluted rivers, removing sediment. However, some worry about beavers flooding roads.

The government stated beaver return will be managed carefully. Releases will happen at a slow pace, and projects will need a ten-year plan to support beavers. If problems arise, dams can be removed, and beavers can be relocated or controlled as a last resort.

Money is available to protect trees and crops. This helps create beaver habitats, allowing wild beaver populations to stay and grow naturally. These populations will be actively managed locally.

Beavers help the environment significantly; reintroducing them is important. Beavers shape their environment, so their return is a big step, helping wildlife to have beavers around after 400 years.

New beaver release schemes must have solid plans to minimize unwanted effects. The first beaver release will be in Purbeck Heaths, a protected area that is a “super” nature reserve.

This is fantastic news, one director said. The process ensures careful site selection and minimizes issues for landowners. Communities will be involved in beaver releases, as beavers restore landscapes and improve water.

Some raise concerns about beavers’ impact. They worry about flooded crops and felled trees and want impact assessments before new releases. Landowners need advice and funding to manage beavers.

You can apply for a beaver release license; the first application deadline is May 2, 2025.