Ealing is set to welcome beavers back to the borough for the first time in four centuries in a major council-supported reintroduction project.
Eurasian beavers, a native British species and Europe’s largest rodent, have been licenced to return to Ealing thanks to a collaboration between Ealing Wildlife Group, Citizen Zoo, Friends of Horsenden Hill and Ealing Council with support from Beaver Trust.
The rodents will live in Paradise Fields, a 10-hectare area of woodland and wetlands in urban Greenford in the north of the borough, which will be open to the public once the new arrivals have settled in.
The area has undergone feasibility studies and a licence application to Natural England supported by Beaver Trust.
Elliot Newton, co-founder of Citizen Zoo welcomed the beaver licence approval, commenting: ‘We are hoping to challenge perceptions, and demonstrate how London too, can embrace these ecosystem engineers as we strive for a healthier, wilder future in which our capital can become a leader in urban rewilding. Which will greatly benefit not only wildlife populations but local communities too.’
Head of restoration at Beaver Trust, Dr Roisín Campbell-Palmer was also pleased to hear of the licence approval, stating: ‘Now that beavers are back in Britain, learning to coexist with them is fundamental to the species’ successful restoration. We look forward to continuing to support the team to make the most of this superbly located site.’
