From extinction to re-establishment
Up until recently, beaver had been an extinct species in the UK – driven to extinction by hunting in the 16th century. However, beaver are now an established species in the river Stour and there could be up to 60 individuals currently in Kent, with sightings all the way from Sandwich to Ashford’s Conningbrook Lakes.
Kent Wildlife Trust were the first organisation to introduce beavers back into Britain, paving the way for other conservationists to launch similar programmes and now wild beavers have established themselves throughout the country. From 1st October 2022, the European beaver finally became a protected species in England, following Scotland’s lead. This means that beavers have species-level protection, and requires a license to possess, and disturb and manage beavers and their lodges, burrows and dams.
Beaver swimming with its head just above the water © Russell Savory
The role of beavers in the ecosystem
As keystone species, they play an important role in shaping the environment they live in. These “ecosystem engineers” build and environment that not only benefits them, but also other wildlife and people. For example, when beavers build dams, this slows and cleans the water. This means that, during periods of heavy rain, less water flows downstream, reducing flooding and creating wet woodlands and ponds. These new habitats also act as carbon sinks helping to slow climate change. Beaver also create new habitats that benefit other species, like invertebrates, and bats, as well as endangered species such as water vole.
Many see beavers as a “nature based solution” to the current climate and nature crisis and to have this important and iconic species back in Kent is really something special.
To learn more about the beavers of Kent, why not book one of our Wilder Kent safaris at Ham Fen or if you’re a school or other educational group, one of our Beavers of Kent workshops.