Beavers in Worcestershire

Beavers were hunted to extinction in Britain over 400 years ago. Now, thanks to sensitive reintroduction projects they are being returned in some places, allowing us to see just how amazing these natural engineers are at helping to improve wetlands and rivers for all sorts of associated wildlife.

To give them a secure future we need a clear beaver strategy for England and any delay will put those beavers already living amongst us at risk. We have been supporting colleagues across the country in asking the Government to stick with plans to publish a national beaver strategy as soon as possible, so these amazing native creatures can return to English waters for good. 

The Wildlife Trusts have a vision for an ambitious beaver reintroduction for England and Wales and have five key asks of the Government:

• Publish an ambitious reintroduction strategy that considers all appropriate major river catchments
• Provide financial support for land managers who make more space for water and the wealth of benefits beavers provide
• Agree funding support for Beaver Management Groups in England and Wales
• Urgently confirm that all wild beaver populations can remain in England and Wales
• Recognise beavers as a native species in Wales and provide them with full legal protection

Read more on The Wildlife Trusts website about why freeing beavers is important

What about Worcestershire?

The reintroduction of beavers is still in its early stages and it is essential to find the best possible sites for tests and trials. In Worcestershire, because of the landscape and geology suitable locations are quite hard to define. Our rivers are often too large (like the Severn) or too prone to significant fluctuations (like the Teme and its tributaries) to suit beavers. Equally importantly, our rivers and streams rarely have sufficient easily-accessible woodland nearby and very regularly run through densely populated or heavily-farmed areas where reintroduction may not be successful. After careful examination of the land to ensure food, water and shelter resources were sufficient, in April 2024 the Forestry Commission released beavers into a fenced enclosure within the Wyre Forest.

It would need further discussion with landowners in areas surrounding smaller watercourses, the funding to establish Beaver Management Groups to work with landowners to identify suitable land areas and for a release licensing system to be set up by Defra or Natural England before it would appropriate to introduce beavers living natural lives, not held in enclosures, in the county.

While that means we can’t take a lead role in this exciting work we certainly can lend our support to colleagues elsewhere in the country who can. 

We are aware that a beaver was seen on the River Stour and that a number of trees alongside the River Salwarpe had been gnawed in 2024. We assume that the beaver has passed along these rivers in search of suitable habitat but the fact that evidence has been seen in more than one location suggests that it has not found any. We register sightings with Worcestershire Biological Records Centre and pass onto colleagues, both within and outside the Trust, to ensure that others are looking for signs too. If you think you’ve seen a beaver, or signs of one, please take a photo and let us know via our short Wildlife Sightings form. Thank you.