2025 sees the 10th anniversary of the commencement of the River Otter Beaver Trial that was led by @Devon Wildlife Trust. It is now 5 years since its completion, and four years since East Devon's beavers were given official recognition.
Yet despite strong scientific evidence for beavers and the role they play in flood/drought alleviation, improvements in water quality and as a keystone species in rebuilding biodiversity, we still have no clear indication of when or what the Government decision on further beaver reintroductions is.
Debate and discussion around all of this does tend to lean towards polarisation (like much debate today! And because it makes a good story line in The Archers…) – either beavers live in enclosures, or they are released illegally with no management plans. But this does not reflect the great work that is being done to demonstrate what successful coexistence in England can look like.
In Devon, beavers were presumed to have been released illegally or that they were unintentional escapees, but they were captured and returned to the river under licence as part of the River Otter Beaver Trial, so their release was legal. We have established and work with a highly effective multi stakeholder Beaver Management Group, and DWT has a long track record of helping local people and landowners successfully adapt to having animals on their river catchment.
It is a win-win scenario, and our work clearly demonstrates what good looks like.
We should be celebrating the wild population in England, released under licence, where ongoing evidence and careful management has demonstrated that beaver impacts are overwhelmingly positive, and that potential negative impacts can be effectively mitigated. We need to recognise that support for beavers, for landowners, and for communities needs to be properly resourced. We need this formerly native species to be back in the wild across England and using its super powers to help restore the health of our beleaguered rivers.
We need an ambitious national wild release strategy, and we need it without further delay.
Find out more about Devon Beavers