A FAMILY of beavers which were introduced into the Wyre Forest a year ago are thriving and there are now hopes the group will grow over the summer.
The two adult beavers and their four kits were relocated to the secure five-hectare enclosure from Scotland and have since settled well, making a positive impact on their local environment.
The most noticeable change – following the project by Forestry England, which worked with Natural England and the Beaver Trust, is the creation of a 30-metre dam they have build. The family has created a large pool with lodges made from sticks and branches, all held together with mud.
Picture by Forestry England/Crown copyright.
‘Incredible introduction’
Richard Boles, Wyre Beat Forester for Forestry England said: “It has been incredibly special to watch the beaver family adapt and thrive here in Wyre Forest. “Witnessing the changes they’ve made to the landscape through their natural behaviours has been truly remarkable.”
Stewart Carter, work supervisor for Forestry England said:“We’re all hopeful that the family will grow this summer with the arrival of new kits.
“It would be wonderful to see beavers born right here in the forest.”
By 2026 Forestry England aim to create thousands more hectares to integrate wildlife to forests, as well as increasing the diversity of forest visitors and planting 2,000 hectares of new woodlands.
Forestry England manages and cares for the nation’s 1,500 woods and forest. It hopes to create at least 6,000 more hectares where wilding activities are integrated and the diversity of visitors in the nation’s forests is increased.
Forestry England also hopes to plant at least 2,000 hectares of new, high quality, predominantly broadleafwoodlands
Visit: forestryengland.uk/wyre-forest/beavers-wyre-forest for more information about the Wyre beaver project.
