Trust reflects on beaver introduction success

Derbyshire Wildlife Trust has been reflecting on the success of a programme which saw it reintroduce beavers into one of its nature reserves.

It was four years ago since the animals were settled into Willington Wetlands Nature Reserve, 800 years after they last inhabited the county.

Following the licensed release of two pairs of beavers, they have thrived.

Within 10 months of release, one of the original pairs bred, and the first beaver kits were born in 2022.

Since then, the family of beavers has welcomed six more kits and continue to restore the wetland habitat, reshaping the landscape around them.

Katie Last, living landscape officer at Derbyshire Wildlife Trust, said: “This has been such an exciting project to be part of and forms part of Derbyshire Wildlife Trust’s vision for a wilder Derbyshire.

“The two original pairs have thrived in their new habitat, and we have been absolutely thrilled to see them welcome more and more beaver kits.

“Each new kit is not just good news for the reintroduction of a species, but great news for the reintroduction of an entire ecosystem that had been lost here in Derbyshire.”