The National Trust has announced a significant and historic event: a beaver has been born in Northumberland for the first time since the 1600s. This landmark birth occurred less than a year after the conservation charity introduced four beavers into an enclosure on the Wallington Estate, near Rothbury.
a new generation begins
The beaver kit’s arrival marks a momentous occasion in the UK’s conservation efforts. The heavily pregnant female was first observed in May, and footage soon after captured the kit exploring its surroundings and taking a dip, a sign of the species’ return to the region.
Helen McDonald, lead ranger at Wallington, expressed her excitement: “We are thrilled that after an absence of around 400 years we now have beavers back and breeding.” She praised the beavers’ perseverance and resilience in adapting to their new environment, particularly in the face of challenges like last year’s floods.
the beavers' journey
The family of beavers at Wallington is among the few populations in northern England and represents the National Trust’s third successful release of the animals. Once a common sight along Britain’s rivers, beavers were hunted to extinction in the 16th century. Their reintroduction is a critical step in restoring natural ecosystems and biodiversity.
Since their release into the enclosure, the beavers have been industriously building dams, canals, and burrows. These activities have significantly impacted the local environment by slowing water flow and creating ponds, pools, and mudbanks over an area equivalent to half a football pitch. These new wetlands have become a haven for various wildlife, including kingfishers, foraging Daubenton’s bats, and the endangered white-clawed crayfish.
environmental benefits
The creation of dams by the beavers is particularly beneficial in addressing the impacts of increased rainfall due to climate change. Paul Hewitt, countryside manager for the National Trust at Wallington, highlighted the transformative effects: “With the development of dams, we are also starting to see the benefits of beavers in slowing water flows and making the flood plain more resilient to future climate change.”
Wilder Wallington
Wallington Estate, the largest intact estate owned by the National Trust, is three years into a major nature recovery project known as Wilder Wallington. This initiative aims to restore and enhance local biodiversity, with notable successes in the recovery of species like pine martens and red squirrels.
The birth of the beaver kit at Wallington is not just a triumph for the National Trust but a significant milestone in the UK’s conservation efforts. It symbolizes hope and the possibility of restoring nature’s balance, bringing back species that once thrived in Britain’s landscapes.
