First Wild Beaver Spotted in Norfolk After 400 Years

A wild beaver has been observed in Norfolk for the first time since the species was hunted to extinction in England during the early 16th century. The beaver was filmed at Pensthorpe Nature Reserve, located on the River Wensum near Fakenham, where it has been establishing a lodge and gathering food. Richard Spowage, the reserve's manager, noted that the beaver appears to have been living in a secluded area of the reserve for approximately a month, taking advantage of the abundant tree cover and natural habitat.

The Guardian

The nocturnal herbivore has been seen collecting willow trees and constructing a food larder for winter. Spowage first suspected the beaver's presence after a volunteer discovered a tree stump with distinctive cuts. Camera traps later confirmed the beaver's activities, showcasing its natural behaviors after centuries of absence from the region. Spowage expressed the significance of this sighting, stating, “It was such a special moment to see it out there, living its life, after not being seen in Norfolk for hundreds of years.”

The Guardian

The sighting comes amid ongoing discussions about beaver reintroduction in England. In March, Natural England announced plans to issue licenses for projects aimed at reintroducing beavers to the wild. Since then, the government has received 39 expressions of interest, primarily from the Wildlife Trusts federation. However, only one population of beavers has been legally released into the wild in England, specifically in Dorset.

The Guardian

The origin of the Pensthorpe beaver remains uncertain. It is unclear whether it was illegally released by activists—a practice known as "beaver bombing"—or if it naturally dispersed into the area. Emily Bowen, a spokesperson for the Beaver Trust, indicated that there are currently ten wild populations of beavers in England, with sightings reported in various counties including Kent, Hampshire, and Somerset. However, Spowage expressed skepticism about the beaver reaching Norfolk independently, suggesting possible human influence in its arrival.

The Guardian

Spowage affirmed that the beaver is welcome at Pensthorpe, emphasizing its right to inhabit the area. He stated, “From our point of view, it’s a wild animal and it’s got the right to be here.” Meanwhile, the Cornwall Wildlife Trust is awaiting approval to introduce beavers to its Helman Tor reserve, despite already having a wild population.

The Guardian

While the presence of the beaver has been confirmed, there is no consensus on its origin or whether it was born in the wild. The lack of missing captive beavers in Norfolk raises questions about how it arrived at the reserve. Further investigations may be necessary to clarify these uncertainties.

The Guardian

• “This animal just appeared in our reserve. No one knows where it’s come from, but it’s found what I consider a perfect beaver habitat,” — Richard Spowage, Manager, Pensthorpe Nature Reserve

The Guardian

• “It could be a naturally dispersing wild beaver,” — Emily Bowen, Spokesperson, Beaver Trust

The Guardian

• “It’s unlikely it’s been born wild, or if it was wild, potentially there was some sort of human influence to move it,” — Richard Spowage, Manager, Pensthorpe Nature Reserve

The Guardian