First Baby Beavers Born in Hampshire in 400 Years

Two kits were spotted in Ewhurst Park, marking a significant milestone in the region's rewilding efforts.

The baby beavers, known as kits, were first seen in early July within an enclosure on the Ewhurst Park estate near Basingstoke.
These are the first beavers born in Hampshire since the species went extinct in Britain in the 16th century.
The parents, Chompy and Hazel, were released into the enclosure in January 2023 as part of a rewilding project.
Beavers play a crucial role as 'ecosystem engineers,' creating habitats and mitigating flood risks through their dam-building activities.
The Ewhurst Park project is part of broader rewilding efforts led by entrepreneur Mandy Lieu, who purchased the estate four years ago.