Overview

• Beavers, extinct in England for over 400 years, will be reintroduced into the wild under a new licensing system approved by the government.
• The semi-aquatic mammals are celebrated as 'ecosystem engineers' for their ability to create habitats, reduce flooding risks, and store water during droughts.
• The first wild release is expected at Purbeck Heaths, a protected nature reserve, with other projects requiring 10-year management plans.
• Farmers and landowners have expressed concerns about potential flooding and crop damage, prompting the inclusion of measures like dam removal or, as a last resort, lethal control.
• Existing wild beaver populations in areas like Devon, Cornwall, and Kent will be allowed to expand naturally under proactive management.