Wild beavers reintroduced after 400-year extinction
The first ever wild beavers have been released in a Dorset nature reserve, more than 400 years after their extinction in Britain.
Two pairs of the semi-aquatic animals are making a new home at Little Sea lake in Studland, Purbeck, unrestricted by fences or enclosures.
This reintroduction follows the government's decision to allow wild populations return to England's rivers and wetlands.
The National Trust, which is behind the licensed wild release, called it a "real watershed moment in the history of the species" in the country.
The beavers have been brought from the Tay catchment in Scotland by the Beaver Trust.
Head of restoration Roisin Campbell-Palmer said there was "high levels of public support" for the return of the animals to England.
There have also been concerns about the impact of beavers flooding roads, properties and farmland, and targeting crops such as maize and cricket bat willow.
The government announced the releases would be "well-managed" and that communities would be helped to adapt to living with beavers.
Gen Crisford, beaver project officer at Purbeck for the conservation charity, said that by working with local landowners and putting measures in place when needed, "we are confident that in Purbeck we will be able to demonstrate how beavers can work for everyone".
"Getting the wetlands back into our landscape is absolutely critical in restoring our ecosystems and making sure that they function efficiently and making sure that we do not stay as the most nature depleted country in the long term," said Tracey Churcher, general manager of Purbeck for the trust.
"They are key for rebuilding that and always were supposed to be in this landscape. It was persecution that led to their demise."
The licensed release comes after two beavers appeared at Little Sea in January 2024, thought to have colonised from elsewhere in Dorset's waterways where they are already living wild, or through an unauthorised release.
Marian Spain, chief executive of Natural England, said it was a "historic moment for nature in England", giving them a chance to thrive again in the wild.
Known as nature's architects, beavers engineer the landscape with dams, ponds and channels that help other wildlife and counter flooding and drought.
The Beaver Trust said they were looking forward to other new wild sites being proposed.
You can follow BBC Dorset on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
Beavers return to town after 400 years
Baby boom prompts call to boost wild beaver population
Beavers return to national park 'after 600 years'
Natural England
The Beaver Trust
The National Trust
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Yahoo
Five-star loos lead to 'toilet envy'
Eight public toilets in the Chichester district will be refurbished after getting council approval. The plans follow the demolition and rebuilding of the old toilet block in Tower Street. The new Tower Street toilet, which opened earlier this month, cost more than £200,000 and has been said to be inspiring "envy" in other areas after receiving positive Google reviews. The cost of the latest scheme has not yet been revealed but will be made up of money from the Asset Replacement Fund and from reserves. Chichester District Council does not legally have to provide public toilets, but leader Adrian Moss said they were important to residents, adding that the Tower Street project had been "a triumph". Councillor John Cross added: "There is a bit of toilet envy going on with other district councils because our Tower Street toilets have been given a five-star rating on Google and other district councils want the same!" The toilets set for improvement are in Bracklesham Bay in Bracklesham, Pound Road car park in Petworth, Lifeboat Way in Selsey, Northgate car park in Chichester, Avenue de Chartres car park in Chichester, Hillfield Road in Selsey, Kingfisher Parade in East Wittering and Marine Drive in West Wittering. The council will now look for a contractor to carry out the work, which will be a phased approach over the next two years, said the Local Democracy Reporting Service. Follow BBC Sussex on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@ or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250. Coastal public toilets reopened for summer season South East councils close dozens of public toilets Chichester District Council Local Democracy Reporting Service
Newsweek
11 hours ago
- Newsweek
Former Fosterer Begs for Home for 'Gentle' Senior Dog in Shelter 1276 Days
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A dog's former foster parent is pleading for help as the canine faces euthanasia, along with 30 others in a Georgia shelter. The DeKalb County Animal Services posted to several social media accounts the need for fosters and adopters to step forward, as "dogs are arriving faster" than they can find homes for. They currently house 506 dogs in the animal shelter, but their maximum capacity can only hold 475, the website states. One of these dogs at risk is 10-year-old Kerrawin. This senior dog's former foster parent, Amy Siceloff, has been championing for him. Kerrawin first came into DeKalb County Animal Services on December 12, 2021, or 1,276 days ago. "It actually turned out that he had an owner that no longer wanted to care for him, so he had known all of the comforts of a home and family before he then had to spend two years in the shelter before I pulled him out to foster," Siceloff told Newsweek via email. She never planned on fostering him, noting her "problem dog" at home and that she owns two cats, but she couldn't resist when she saw an urgent post for him in August 2023. During that one and a half years together, she quickly learned that Kerrawin was the "sweetest dog" who loved spending time with people, car rides and walking around the neighborhood. "I had to return him to the shelter after my resident dog attacked and injured him," she said. "They always had issues that I tried to work/train around, but it had escalated past the point of safety for anyone, myself included." Siceloff noted that Kerrawin was never the aggressor. She's now focused on finding him the perfect fight before his timeline is up at 8 p.m. on June 10. Photos of a 10-year-old shelter dog named Kerrawin who is at risk of being euthanized. Photos of a 10-year-old shelter dog named Kerrawin who is at risk of being euthanized. Courtesy of Amy Siceloff During his time with Siceloff, he had three online adoption inquiries, which all fell through, she said. She cannot understand why no one wants the senior baby. "Everyone that has met Kerrawin has noted how gentle and loving he is," she said. "...He knows basic commands, house trained, crate trained, nondestructive, and is quick to learn and respect boundaries." Siceloff has been visiting Kerrawin every Sunday and taking him out on much-needed shelter breaks. But her heart breaks knowing this could be his last chance. "Every dog deserves the chance to live, but Kerrawin has been especially hard for me as all the volunteers love him, along with literally everybody that meets him," she said. "I can't give up the fight to get him adopted now." Part of the shelter's Instagram post reads: "We need to find homes for at least 31 dogs by tomorrow at 8 p.m., as our team is faced with making the most difficult of decisions. We're urgently asking for help from anyone who can adopt or foster. Every dog who leaves the building will make a difference." Newsweek reached out to the DeKalb County Animal Services via email and phone on Tuesday for confirmation.
Yahoo
20 hours ago
- Yahoo
Baby Ducklings on 'Jump Day' is the Cutest Leap of Faith We Have Ever Seen
In the animal kingdom, each species has a unique way of setting their young ones free and out on their own. Some parents gently guide their young for several weeks or months, teaching them what's safe, what's dangerous, and how to live in the vast world on their own. It's a gradual process that requires steps towards freedom. This is not so for birds! They have a particularly tough way of introducing their babies into the world around them and it is rather dramatic and adorable at the same time. Birdwatchers have a very fitting name for the day that young birds leave the nest. They refer to it as 'Jump Day!' Click here for the baby duckling "Jump Day" Video! Whether the nest is 5 feet or 50 feet off the ground when it is time for them to leave, it's just time. Recently, one lucky nest-watcher, @jonnameidal, captured a family of Wood Ducks taking their first leap of faith and it is a true overload of cuteness! In the Instagram video, we are given a lakeside view of the tiny little ducks leaping and landing in the grass below. It's a long way down from their birdhouse by the lake to the grassy knoll below. The little guys seem to bounce upon landing, then toddle over to their mama and wait for their duckling brothers and sisters to join them!The last little one to take the plunge really goes for it and lands at least three feet away from the others. They bounce just a bit, pop their little legs out, and then waddle over to the others. The question we all want to know the answer to is, 'How do they not get hurt?' Well, apparently due to their large amount of fluffy feathers, pliable bone structure they are made for 'Jump Day' and it usually happens just one day after they hatch! If you would like to know more about Wood Ducks look at the National Audubon Society's website. It is a thorough source of information for new birdwatchers! Baby Ducklings on 'Jump Day' is the Cutest Leap of Faith We Have Ever Seen first appeared on PetHelpful on May 21, 2025
