Beavers will be given legal protection as it becomes an offence to kill, harm or disturb the creatures

• It will be illegal to kill, harm or disturb beavers – now seen as a native species
• Move comes 400 years after they were hunted to extinction for fur and meat
• Dam-building rodents now living wild in UK rivers after official and illegal release
• Wildlife Trusts boss Craig Bennett said law a ‘game changer’ to restore wetlands

Beavers are to be given legal protection, making it an offence to kill, harm or disturb them.

Under new laws, the animals will be formally recognised as a native species in England, 400 years after they were hunted to extinction for their fur and meat.

They have since reappeared due to illegal releases and official reintroduction in enclosures, and up to 800 are now thought to be living wild on our rivers.

The legislation, which was announced by the Government yesterday and will come into force on October 1, also makes it illegal to damage beavers’ breeding sites.

It follows a similar move in Scotland in 2019, where offenders face up to two years in jail.

Conservationists welcomed the move. Craig Bennett, chief executive of the Wildlife Trusts, said: ‘The widespread return of wild beavers can be a game changer for restoring lost wetlands, benefiting all kinds of wildlife, and also people by reducing the risk of flooding.’

Under new laws, beavers will be formally recognised as a native species in England, 400 years after they were hunted to extinction for their fur and meat

Beavers have reappeared in Britain due to illegal releases and official reintroduction in enclosures, and up to 800 are now thought to be living wild on our rivers

He added: ‘We’re delighted to see the Government give beavers the vital protections they deserve. Bringing back wild beavers isn’t just a dream, it is a critical part of addressing the climate and nature crises.

‘It is important that guidance is now developed quickly to bring farmers and landowners on board with reintroductions of these brilliant animals, providing reassurance and, crucially, incentives to make space for beavers on their land.’

Wildlife groups are awaiting a national beaver strategy, which it is hoped will pave the way for the licensed release of beavers into the wild in England, where it has local support and benefits for the landscape.

There was confusion earlier in the week, when it seemed as if the legislation would not be laid before the summer recess of Parliament, but the Environment Department said it had now been put in place.

Sandra King, Beaver Trust chief executive, said it was ‘a huge relief for the restoration of beavers in England that the Government has seen sense and that this is going ahead as planned’.

She said: ‘We look forward to working with our colleagues in the Wildlife Trusts and other organisations to welcome these fantastic ecosystem engineers back to our land as soon as possible.’

Dr Roisin Campbell-Palmer, Beaver Trust restoration manager, added: ‘Official recognition that the beaver has returned to Britain is key, though it is vital that a national strategy provides a platform for the continued restoration of this native species to ensure healthy and connected populations so that our wider society and landscapes benefit.

‘The return of the beaver has captured public attention and imagination, though there are challenges to a smaller percentage of landowners which require support to encourage coexistence and implement mitigation as required.’

The Government said the legislation establishes the legal mechanism to strictly manage the release of Eurasian beavers and their control after release.

‘The return of the beaver has captured public attention and imagination, though there are challenges to a smaller percentage of landowners which require support to encourage coexistence and implement mitigation as required,’ said Beaver Trust restoration manager Dr Roisin Campbell-Palmer. Pictured: A young European beaver

‘Beavers play important roles in making ecosystems functions properly, helping to store and slow the flow of water through the building of dams and creation of complex wetlands, which in turn can reduce the impact of both floods and droughts, thereby assisting with adaptation to climate change,’ said Natural England chairman Tony Juniper

Tony Juniper, chairman of government conservation agency Natural England, said: ‘This is a significant moment for beaver recovery, as we see a return of this species to its natural places in England.

‘Beavers play important roles in making ecosystems functions properly, helping to store and slow the flow of water through the building of dams and creation of complex wetlands, which in turn can reduce the impact of both floods and droughts, thereby assisting with adaptation to climate change.

‘Those wetlands also catch carbon and aid the recovery of a wide range of other species.

‘We are working closely with landowners, environmentalists and other stakeholders to develop practical guidance to ensure these wonderful animals are able to thrive in suitable habitats alongside people across England.’

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