Beavers born at park for first time in 500 years

By Lauren Beavis

Beaver kits have been born in Norfolk, England for the first time in 500 years.

Motion-activated camera footage has revealed the "extraordinary" presence of two beaver kits born in the wild at Pensthorpe Natural Park, near Fakenham.

The nature reserve became home to one beaver back in November last year — which was believed to be solitary.

Recent footage from the beaver's lodge later on, however, showed two of the water mammals living together, followed by the two kits.

Richard Spowage, reserve manager at Pensthorpe, said: "When that first beaver appeared last year, none of us could have predicted where this story would lead.

"We went from thinking we had one animal passing through, to discovering a settled pair with an established lodge.

"More recently we started seeing encouraging signs that one of the adults could be pregnant, but we knew we had to be patient.

"To now see two kits on our cameras, growing up wild here in Norfolk, is an extraordinary moment."

The animals have independently established themselves within a secluded area of Pensthorpe's restored wetlands, where they are monitored remotely using camera traps.

The team at Pensthorpe says they have not released any beavers and the origin of the adult pair remains unknown.

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Beavers were once a natural part of Britain's rivers and wetlands before being hunted to extinction centuries ago.

Their gradual return through licensed reintroductions has become one of the most significant developments in modern British conservation.

Carefully managed projects elsewhere in the country have demonstrated the important role beavers can play in wetland restoration, biodiversity recovery, habitat creation and natural water management.

Wildlife experts say the successful breeding of the beaver pair at Pensthrope provides another indication that the habitat they have chosen is capable of supporting them.

The team at Pensthorpe says they have been working alongside scientists, ecologists, conservation organizations, specialists and wider stakeholders to explore how its existing beavers, and the wider future of the species within Norfolk, can be responsibly supported.

Richard added: "Seeing the kits for the first time is something the team will never forget, but our responsibility to these animals hasn't changed.

"They are not simply a visitor attraction or a social media moment.

"They are an important native species which deserve a stable, properly considered and scientifically led future.

"We've deliberately been relatively quiet while a huge amount of work has been taking place behind the scenes.

"The arrival of these kits makes those conversations even more important."