Beavers closer to return to the wild

Government proposals to release beavers into the wild have been put out for consultation.

Whitehall plans to support a “cautious” return of the semi-aquatic mammals to English rivers and, in order to aid the recovery of the native mammals, make it an offence in England to deliberately capture, kill, disturb or injure them, or damage their breeding sites or resting places.

Under the plans out for consultation, applications for licences to release beavers would need to meet certain criteria, including local approval and ensuring support is in place for landowners and river users.

Beavers are seen as nature’s engineers as they restore wetland habitats by building dams that slow, store and filter water, which attracts other wildlife and reduces flooding.

The animals were hunted to extinction in Britain in the 16th century for their fur, glands and meat.