Four beavers have been released into the wild at Studland in Dorset under the gaze of the UK’s media, just days after receiving the official licence from the government.
Also witnessing the historic moment – the first release in England for centuries of beavers in the wild rather than an enclosure – was a government minister, the local MP and the heads of wildlife and environment organisations.
The beavers arrive from the River Tay in Scotland
Government minister for nature Mary Creagh (left) and MP for South Dorset Lloyd Hatton (right) have the honour of releasing the first pair of beavers into the wild
Arriving from Scotland
The two breeding pairs of beavers were driven down the M6 in metal crates from Scotland to be relocated in the wetland areas around Little Sea on Wednesday 5th March 2025.
Welcoming their arrival were the UK Government’s minister for nature Mary Creagh and South Dorset MP Lloyd Hatton who both travelled down from Westminster to perform the release of one pair.
They were joined by the chief executive of Natural England Marian Spain, the National Trust’s director of Land and Nature Harry Bowell and senior figures from the Environment Agency, the Beaver Trust, Dorset Council and Exeter University among a gathering of 50 VIPs.
But the stars of the afternoon were undoubtedly the four as yet unnamed beavers – although suggested names for them, included Sigourney and Justin.
Their release was featured on all the major UK media outlets including the BBC, ITV and Channel 4, alongside environment correspondents from newspapers like The Guardian.
Watching the historic moment from a suitable distance
BBC’s environment correspondent Jonah Fisher interviews government minister Mary Creagh
“Gives people a reason to smile”
The BBC’s Six O’Clock News coverage included a live report from the BBC’s environment correspondent Jonah Fisher from the edge of Little Sea.
Jonah, who once accompanied Greenpeace tracking whales hunted by the Japanese whaling fleet, but had never covered a story from Purbeck before, said:
“I have covered a lot of stories on the water industry and sewage pollution and it is so nice to be able to cover a story like this.
“We know that people are avoiding the news because it seems so bleak at the moment, so to do stories like this which give people hope, a feeling that there are things which are getting better, plays an important role in the way a country feels about itself.
“Within the BBC there is a really warm reception for a story like this which gives people a reason to smile, especially as there have not been a lot of smiles going round with the news recently.
“Rewilding is clearly something which has a lot of interest, and this feels to me like the most significant step which has happened since I became an environment correspondent.”
Gathering at the Discovery Centre at Knoll Beach before the beavers arrive
At the release site, the media and the minister wait in anticipation
Channel 4’s chief correspondent Alex Thomson (centre) chats to the minister Mary Creagh (right)
“Beaver heaven”
It’s taken a long time for the licence to be approved, with the issue being delayed by the previous government due to concerns over damage that the beavers could cause to farms.
Trials of releasing beavers in Devon showed that no major damage was caused and could be anticipated and mitigated.
Finally the wildlife lobby won the argument and the minister for nature ok’d the licence.
Speaking after she was personally given the opportunity to release the first pair of beavers, Mary Creagh said:
“This is a very special and historic moment for the country, the first ever wild release of beaver since they were hunted to extinction several centuries ago, into what can only be described as beaver heaven.
“They have come from a flat landscape in Scotland and here they are in a really interesting ecosystem where they have an abundance of trees and boggy land and can get to work doing all the things that beavers are good at.
“They are nature’s master builders and we know they can prevent flooding, as well as being really important in creating species rich habitats, particularly for amphibians, invertebrates and also in rivers, water voles.
“I’m feeling quite emotional, if I’m honest, I felt this is what being in government is all about, it’s the chance to make a difference.
The beavers are expected to find their way to the nearby Little Sea
First day in a new home
“Such a special ecosystem”
Mary Creagh who was visiting Purbeck for the first time, added:
“Officials, the National Trust and the Beaver Trust have been working on this for the past seven years – this is about putting beavers into habitats in the right places for the right reasons.
“Lloyd Hatton has been writing to me since he was elected and I am delighted to be here to share in this special moment.
“This is such a special ecosystem, with the beach, fresh water lakes, boggy land, it’s a national nature reserve, an iconic and very special place and a great spot for such an historic moment.”
The media concentrate to make sure they get the shot
MP Lloyd Hatton (left) assists in the release of the beavers
“Purbeck is a pioneer”
MP for South Dorset Lloyd Hatton said:
“It is really exciting that Purbeck is a pioneer for the first wild beaver release, there has been so much extensive work with the local stakeholders and broad support across the farming community, local businesses and key wildlife concerns.
“That is why there is such a positive atmosphere on the ground, it’s about doing this with farmers and local stakeholders, not against them.
“It is very important to take the locals into account – I met all of the trusts and the local groups almost as soon as I took office, it was one of the first things that landed on my desk.
“The trusts were able to reassure me of all the work they had done with local landowners, farmers and business owners, another reason why Studland has become the first in line for a legal release.”
Venturing out after the long drive form Scotland
Heading towards the water
“It’s a milestone moment”
Plenty of journalists have spent years covering the story about the release of beavers into the wild, and many have expected it to happen on many occasions for it only to be delayed further.
Respected environment reporter for The Guardian, Helena Horton, who travelled to Studland to witness the moment, said:
“For the National Trust there have been seven years of discussion about this project, but nationally there has been talk of returning beavers to the UK for 30 years.
“They will make a big difference to the ecology here – it is already a very beautiful and complex wetland habitat here, but there are other parts of the country where nature has been completely lost and beavers will be even more helpful in those cases.
“Studies have found that the presence of beavers increase the size and abundance of fish by creating better habitats for them and obviously otters eat fish, so the two species are quite symbiotic and you might get to see both of them at the same time down here one day.
“I was thinking when I was on the Purbeck Breezer bus on the way here how beautiful it is down here and how I should come down more often because it is just so gorgeous.
“All conservationists here today will be very excited by this moment, and I certainly cannot wait to see them be released – it’s a milestone moment for nature in England.”
The second release of beavers took place in different location to encourage the pair to colonise another area of Little Sea
This time one of the beavers didn’t fancy the water at first and went for a bit of an exploration
Seven beavers in total
A second pair of beavers were released at the opposite end of Little Sea later, watched by specially invited stakeholders including those who have supported the National Trust with funding such as Extreme E race cars.
The four beavers join the pair of beavers who were released illegally in Studland in January 2024, in what is know as beaver bombing. The breeding pair have also now had a baby called a kit. This means a total of seven beavers are making Little Sea their home.
Visitors and local residents have been urged not to go looking for the beavers to avoid the risk of disturbing them while they settle in.
Beavers are nocturnal animals and spend most of the day hidden in their lodges, but the National Trust is planning guided walks and events later in the year when longer daylight hours boost the chances of seeing them in the wild.
New signs to warn the public
Dog safety
It’s being advised that dogs shouldn’t swim in Little Sea for their own safety. Gen Crisford, Purbeck beaver project officer at the National Trust, said:
“Beavers are not naturally aggressive but will defend themselves if threatened, especially when they have kits. We are asking people to watch beavers quietly from a distance and to keep dogs on leads by the waterside.
“We have long discouraged people from letting their dogs swim in Little Sea to protect the ecology, but now beavers are present, it’s not safe for them to do so.
“It will be important to let visitors and local residents know how to walk dogs safely near beaver habitat.
“Beavers will avoid people and dogs, diving underwater with a slap of their tail to indicate danger, but if cornered or if their kits are threatened, they can effectively defend themselves and so it is advised that dogs be kept under close control when in a beaver territory.”
One of the beavers released illegally a year ago has established a home at Studland
A picture of the new kit – the first to be born in Studland for centuries
“Magnet for other wildlife”
The release at Little Sea in Studland was chosen partly as it is not near farms and provides a breeding ground from where the beavers can naturally disperse to other areas of Purbeck.
Nationally there has been disquiet about the release of beavers by farmers but in Purbeck, local National Trust tenant farmer, Jake Hancock said:
“One of the reasons I love life as a farmer is being immersed in nature during my working day. It’s something I have always enjoyed, and it led me into farming as a career.
“I have always wanted to support and encourage wildlife on the land we manage. Beavers should have a dramatic effect in creating wetlands, which will be a magnet for other wildlife, and help to manage flooding downstream, not to mention locking up carbon in waterlogged soils.
“Whilst there may be localised areas where beavers need to be managed, they are likely to bring wide ranging benefits to Dorset – it’s very exciting.”
Watch video of release
Further information
- Defra wild release and management of beavers in England policy paper
- More about beavers at Little Sea in Studland
- Watch Mary Creagh’s footage on Instagram
