Wild Beavers Are Being Reintroduced to Cornwall

Cornwall has made conservation history with the first fully-licensed release of wild beavers under England’s new reintroduction policy. Two pairs of Eurasian beavers have been released into suitable river habitats in mid-Cornwall, marking a major milestone in nature recovery efforts.

This carefully planned release, led by the Cornwall Wildlife Trust in the Par and Fowey river catchment, follows years of research, planning and collaboration with Natural England and other conservation partners.

Beavers are being reintroduced to Cornwall as part of a wider nature recovery and river restoration strategy. After being hunted to extinction in Britain around 400 years ago, conservation groups are now restoring the species to help repair damaged river systems naturally.

Beavers are often described as ecosystem engineers because of the way they reshape landscapes. Their dam-building and wetland creation helps to:

Slow water flow and reduce downstream flooding

Improve water quality by trapping sediment and pollutants

Create wetland habitats that support birds, fish and amphibians

Increase biodiversity across river catchments

For coastal communities like Marazion, healthier rivers upstream can contribute to cleaner water flowing into Mount’s Bay. With ongoing public concern around water quality at Marazion Beach and across Cornwall’s coastline, projects like this are seen as long term, natural solutions that complement wider environmental efforts.

The reintroduction is not just about bringing back a missing species. It is about restoring balance to Cornwall’s river systems and strengthening the health of the landscapes that eventually connect to our sea.

• The beavers were released on a Cornwall Wildlife Trust reserve after three years of planning and consultation.

• They are the first officially licensed wild beavers in the county since the species was hunted to extinction in Britain centuries ago.

• The project is expected to pave the way for more beaver releases and habitat restoration across Cornwall and beyond.