Beavers released into Cornish rivers in first legal mainland release

Two beavers were legally released into a pond at Helman Tor in Cornwall, described as the first truly wild beaver release on the English mainland; Natural England and conservation groups say more catchment-scale projects are planned.

Two beavers were released into a pond at the Helman Tor reserve in Cornwall in what conservationists describe as the first legal release of beavers into an English river system on the mainland. The animals came from enclosures in Cheshire and Dorset and were released after a Natural England licensing process. Beavers were hunted to extinction in the UK around 400 years ago and are regarded as a keystone species for creating wetlands and improving water quality. The Cornwall Wildlife Trust and partners have been developing the project since 2012. Key facts: - Two beavers were released at Helman Tor and two others were released at a nearby site, bringing four to the 300-hectare estate that received permission from Natural England. - The charity reported it took about a year and around £150,000 in administration and survey fees to secure permission for the release of four beavers on the estate. - Last year a different legal release took place on the Purbeck Heaths estate in Dorset, but those animals are contained on a peninsula; this Cornwall release is described as the first truly wild mainland river release. - Some conservationists have previously released beavers without permission: an unknown party released a pair on the Tor in February 2024, an action described in reports as "beaver bombing." Local work by those beavers created ponds quickly. - Natural England says it is reviewing over 30 projects and has mentioned planned releases on major catchments including the Humber, Severn and Thames. Summary: Conservation groups say the reintroduction is intended to restore habitats that can slow water flows, store water in the landscape, filter pollutants and benefit birds, fish, amphibians and invertebrates. The Wildlife Trusts plan further releases this year, including an aim to release more beavers across reserves, and Natural England expects additional catchment-scale projects to proceed; monitoring and licensing remain part of the ongoing process.