Home / Environment / Mystery Beavers Astonish Reserve Staff in Norfolk
Mystery Beavers Astonish Reserve Staff in Norfolk
18 Feb
Summary
- Two wild beavers, a rare sight, were filmed grooming each other.
- The pair are the first wild beavers in Norfolk since the 16th century.
- Their presence raises questions about illegal 'beaver bombing' releases.
Two wild beavers have been discovered at Pensthorpe nature reserve in Norfolk, a surprising development for experts who believed only one individual inhabited the area. Recent footage captured the pair grooming each other and swimming, marking the first time a wild beaver pair has settled in Norfolk since the early 16th century.
Reserve manager Richard Spowage noted their bonded behavior, suggesting a family unit, though confirmation of breeding requires observing kits. The beavers are actively avoiding human interaction, indicating their wild nature. Their presence raises speculation about illegal 'beaver bombing' releases, a practice the reserve does not condone but feels obligated to manage.
These beavers are already demonstrating ecological benefits, clearing river debris, and creating glades that encourage vegetation growth. Their activities are seen as restoring a vital missing element to the river ecosystem after a 500-year absence. While legal beaver reintroductions are occurring in other parts of England, the origin of this Norfolk pair remains a mystery, prompting an investigation by Natural England.
