In a historic moment for Lincolnshire, the birth of a baby beaver has taken place in the county for the first time in 400 years. The birth, recorded on CCTV on 13 June, marks a significant milestone since the extinction of beavers in Britain in the 16th century. An enclosure in North Lincolnshire served as the site for this crucial event.
The birth is part of a rewilding project at Wild Wrendale situated near Searby. The initiative has been led by farmers Hannah and Jack Dale who, with the support of the Beaver Trust and other wildlife organisations, introduced two Eurasian beavers into a 70-acre enclosure in December 2023.
Hannah Dale reflected upon the contribution of this critical species in bolstering landscape resilience in the face of climate change. Beavers are acknowledged for their capacity to decrease flood pressure and preserve water during periods of drought.
Recognising the success of the mission as a ‘lovely surprise’, Ms Dale anticipates the potential for more kits, bearing in mind that beavers typically produce two to four offspring per litter. This noteworthy event underlines the importance of reintroducing beavers to Lincolnshire’s ecosystem, their rightful place.
For the original report, please visit www.bbc.com.
[This article has been adapted from original reporting by www.bbc.com by The Lincoln Post.]