Beavers’ arrival at moorland nature reserve leaves trust experts baffled

WILD beavers have been found on a wildlife trust reserve but nobody knows how they got there – and they may have been released illegally.

The animals were discovered at Cornwall Wildlife Trust’s Helman Tor nature reserve, on Bodmin Moor, and reported to the charity by a member of the public.

Careful surveying of the site, including the use of wildlife camera traps, has now confirmed that the animals are present. The trust says given the extent of the activity already under way in the area there may be more than one.

Although it is possible the beavers arrived through natural dispersal, the trust says it is more likely this was an unlicensed release by an unknown third party.

Cheryl Marriott, director of nature and people at the trust, said: “We know Helman Tor is highly suitable for beavers and that they would benefit other wildlife and help towards reducing flood risk further downstream.

“However, we also know some people have legitimate worries about beavers returning to our landscape, and we have been meeting them to understand their concerns and plan how to manage any future issues.

“This is not how we wanted beaver reintroduction to happen at Helman Tor. We do not condone the unlicensed release of beavers. Their arrival at Helman Tor has taken everyone by surprise, but we are ready to monitor them and work with others to manage any problems.”

The reserve has previously been identified by national experts as a suitable site for beaver reintroduction. This is because there are several streams and ponds on the site and plenty of vegetation for the beavers to eat: grasses and herbs in summer and willow bark in winter.

Research has shown that the leaky dams beavers build in smaller streams lead to an increase in many other species including plants, birds, small mammals and amphibians.

Their dams can also slow the flow of streams after heavy rain, helping to trap silt and reduce flood risk downstream.

At the opposite extreme, during drought periods beaver-created wetlands can help to keep streams flowing, protecting fish and other aquatic wildlife.

The trust says there is potential for beaver activity to have some unwanted localised effects but there are established management techniques that can help to prevent and mitigate them.

Trust staff are undertaking surveys in the area to better understand where the beavers’ territories are being established and, along with agencies such as Natural England, speaking to local residents to keep them updated and discuss any concerns about the beavers.

The charity is asking the public

❝❝ This is not how we wanted beaver reintroduction to happen at Helman Tor. We do not condone the unlicensed release of beavers

Cheryl Marriott

not to go looking for the beavers, to avoid disturbing them.

Lauren Jasper, the trust’s beaver officer, said: “Beavers are nocturnal, so we are unlikely to see the animals themselves. We recommend staying on the footpaths at Helman Tor, as the ground can be uneven and it is easy to get lost in the big wetland areas.”

Any residents or landowners with questions about beavers being released in the area can contact the Cornwall Wildlife Trust for help and advice by emailing beavers@cornwallwildlifetrust.org.uk

Ben Watkins/Cornwall Wildlife Trust » Helman Tor is the trust’s largest nature reserve. Below, camera traps were set up to confirm the arrival of the beavers, which are thought to have been released illegally