Environmental organisations including Cornwall Wildlife Trust have been working towards an ambitious vision for the responsible release of wild beavers. Despite this, a recent Guardian report suggests that government officials have blocked plans to grant wild release licences.

Beavers are known for their significant positive effects on wetlands and can play an important role in flood prevention, filtering water and boosting wildlife habitat. However, over two years since legislation officially recognised beavers as a native species in England, the UK Government has yet to open the process for their legal reintroduction beyond enclosures.

Rob Stoneman, the director of landscape recovery at the Wildlife Trusts, said: “The UK is suffering from a freshwater crisis – polluted rivers, floods, and the threat of drought – at the same time as experiencing the appalling effects of the nature and climate crises. These are all linked and would benefit hugely from a cheap, natural solution: beavers. It’s high time we freed the beaver and let them supercharge landscape recovery in the UK – it’s extremely frustrating that wild beaver licences have been blocked.”

Cornwall Wildlife Trust is planning a licenced wild beaver release at Helman Tor Nature Reserve, which was identified by national experts as a suitable site for beaver reintroduction. The reserve features a vast expanse of wild wetland and would likely be further enhanced by the presence of these native herbivores. However, while Cornwall Wildlife Trust's application is near complete and Natural England (the statutory body that would oversee the licencing process) have indicated that they are ready, the government are yet to give the go ahead for this type of release.

Cheryl Marriott, Director of Nature and People at Cornwall Wildlife Trust said: “We know Helman Tor is highly suitable for beavers and that they would benefit other wildlife and help towards reducing flood risk further downstream.”

In March 2024 beaver presence was identified on the reserve, likely the result of an unlicenced release. The resident pair of beavers have already established a dam and begun to create a more complex dynamic habitat, benefitting other wildlife in the area. Despite this unexpected arrival, Cornwall Wildlife Trust are continuing to prepare for future licenced releases.

There is potential for beaver activity to have some unwanted localised effects, but there are established management techniques that can help avoid and mitigate these. A Beaver Management Group has been set up in Cornwall to help prepare for the return of wild beavers. Recent public consultation events have also been held in the Par and Fowey catchment area to allow landowners and community members to learn more about the project and inform the licence application.

In 2019, public surveys conducted locally and nationally by University of Exteter researchers found that 90% of those sampled supported beaver reintroduction.

It is critical that the government releases the licensing framework to enable the responsible release of wild beavers, ensuring that the reintroduction process can be effectively managed to achieve the best outcomes for both nature and people.

Beavers were hunted to extinction over 400 years ago. We are ready to bring back this keystone species – it’s time to remove the barriers and welcome the incredible benefits beavers bring to wildlife, water and our climate.