Enclosed Beaver Trial Set to Begin in North Wales

The Denbighshire County Council is set to start the engagement work for a four-week consultation with communities near the Green Gates Nature Reserve regarding plans to house a family group of Eurasian beavers within a secure 24-acre enclosure for a five-year trial. The proposed trial, subject to the granting of a licence from Natural Resources Wales (NRW), will be the first enclosed beaver project in North Wales. Beavers, once a widespread native species in Wales, were hunted to extinction for their fur, meat, and castoreum, but there are now over 1,500 living in Britain, mostly in Scotland and England.

Key Takeaways:

• The Denbighshire County Council is planning a five-year enclosed beaver trial at the Green Gates Nature Reserve in North Wales, subject to a licence from Natural Resources Wales (NRW).
• The trial aims to raise awareness and understanding of beavers and their ecology, and to demonstrate the potential benefits they can bring to Wales' natural environment.
• The council will be consulting with communities for four weeks, and will contact neighbouring landowners as part of the process.
• The proposed trial is designed to be a carefully managed trial, with the aim of creating a dynamic and species-rich wetland habitat.
• The trial is seen as a significant step in the council's work to restore native species, enhance biodiversity, and support resilient ecosystems in Denbighshire.
• A public consultation event will be held on September 24 at Green Gates Nature Reserve from 3-7pm.

Statistics:

• More than 1,500 beavers are currently living in Britain, mostly in Scotland and England.
• The Eurasian beaver is a European protected species in both Scotland and England.
• The proposed 24-acre enclosure for the beavers will be located at the Green Gates Nature Reserve in North Wales.

Sources:

• Denbighshire County Council - lead officer for ecology and biodiversity, Joel Walley
• Cllr Barry Mellor, the council's lead member for environment and transport
• Natural Resources Wales (NRW) - licensing authority for the beaver trial
• Welsh Government - supports moving towards managed reintroduction of beavers in Wales as of September 26, 2024