Government confirms beavers on Wye

Herefordshire has been confirmed as the latest English county to have its own wild beavers.

A new government consultation on how beavers might be reintroduced in England states: “There is a potential emerging population in the River Wye catchment in Herefordshire.”

According to a Herefordshire Wildlife Trust spokesperson: “We have heard that there have been beaver sightings on the Wye but we assume that these would be a small number of individuals passing though, not a resident population.”

She added: “Small numbers of beaver like this would not be likely to build dams and they are extremely shy, so the chances of anyone seeing one, even if there are a few around, is very low.”

The Eurasian beaver is native to Britain and was once widespread, but they were hunted to extinction in the 16th century.

Europe’s largest rodents, beavers are described by Forestry and Land Scotland as “about the size of a fat spaniel”.

They live in and around rivers and streams, and as often described as a “keystone species” or “ecosystem engineers” as their habit of building dams and felling trees can change the landscape around them. This has made their presence unpopular with landowners in some areas.

Around 25 official controlled beaver releases – and several unofficial, uncontrolled ones – have taken place around Britain in recent years.

The government says it is committed to providing opportunities to reintroduce beavers and other formerly native species “where the environmental, social and economic benefits are clear”, as part of its wider environmental plans.

“We’d love to see these iconic creatures formally recognised as a resident native species in England,” Herefordshire Wildlife Trust’s spokesperson said.