Cumbria Wildlife Trust has joined others in making the case for beavers to make a return to England and Wales.

The trust called the animals a 'key stone species' and say they are hugely beneficial in terms of their effects on wetlands.

They added that they play an important role in flood prevention, filtering water and boosting wildlife habitat.

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Cumbria Wildlife Trust, along with other Wildlife Trusts across the UK, are raising awareness that it has been three years since Defra’s beaver consultation opened and nearly two years since legislation officially recognised beavers as a native species in England.

The Trusts say the UK Government has repeatedly failed to put in place the steps needed for their return.

This includes the issuing of licences for beavers to be returned to the wild in England and the publishing of strategic plans to enable beavers to be reintroduced.

They also point out that Wales still lacks legislation to protect beavers and enable their effective management, and that despite previous political indications that wild releases would be allowed, it has yet to happen.

(Image: Patrick Cook, University of Stirling) The Wildlife Trusts’ new vision explains how releasing beavers into the wild – in preference to the fenced enclosures that are currently allowed – will enable beavers to rejoin the native ecology, providing beleaguered wetlands with a powerful natural restoration tool, bringing  life to rivers and providing a host of benefits to society.

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David Harpley, director of nature eecovery at Cumbria Wildlife Trust said: "We support the Wildlife Trusts' vision for releasing beavers into the wild, in preference to the fenced enclosures that are currently allowed.

"However, it's really important beaver releases are done responsibly. Any reintroduction must be well managed, with the support of the local community.”

Here is what the Wildlife Trusts call on the UK and Welsh Governments to do:

  • Publish an ambitious beaver reintroduction strategy

  • Fund farmers and land managers in the two countries to make more space for water on their land

  • Support beaver management groups

  • Confirm all wild beavers can remain in England and Wales

  • Recognise beavers as a native species in Wales and provide them with full legal protection

(Image: Forestry England)

The Wildlife Trusts are committed to working with communities and authorities to support successful wild beaver releases across England and Wales.

This commitment aligns with UK Government’s target to protect 30% of land for nature by 2030. The Wildlife Trusts want to work with a range of partners and stakeholders to ensure Beaver Management Groups can enable people to live in harmony alongside beavers.

Modelling work undertaken by the University of Exeter and The Wildlife Trusts will help land managers understand which areas are most suitable for beavers – this work will enable beaver groups to understand where to focus reintroduction and management efforts.

A Defra spokesperson said: "This government is absolutely committed to restoring and protecting nature and we support species reintroductions where there are clear benefits for nature, people and the environment.

"We will continue to work with Natural England to develop our approach to beaver reintroductions in England."