Conservationists are hopeful that two bonding beavers who were released into the wild earlier in 2026 could help to strengthen the population of the creatures. The beavers, which live on the Holnicote Estate, Exmoor, Somerset, were captured on trail cameras grooming each other. The semi-aquatic rodents were released in February as part of the National Trust’s work to restore rivers, wetlands and floodplains on the 5,000-hectare site. National Trust ranger Mathieu Burtschell said: “The fact that they have paired up is a good indication that they have found the right conditions at Holnicote, with enough suitable habitat, food and space to establish a territory together.” Beavers usually live in small family groups centred around an adult pair who then typically mate for life.
Once the creatures establish their territory, their dams, canals and wetlands can help to create new habitats for other wildlife and keep water in the landscape for longer. ‘Historic pub reopens’ and ‘dead fish in river’ Burtschell said the charity was hopeful the animals would explore, establish territories and start to form the relationships that were “so important” to a healthy beaver population. “Seeing these two beavers together on the trail camera is really exciting. “They are largely active at night, so trail cameras give us a valuable window into what they are doing when we are not there. “If the pair remains together, they could eventually establish their own family group and help strengthen the beaver population across the estate,” he added.
The beavers are being monitored by rangers to understand how they settle, move through the catchment and shape the surrounding habitat. They were among two groups that were released freely in Somerset for the first time, following a decision from the government to approve the reintroduction of the animals in England in 2025. The species had previously been reintroduced to the Holnicote Estate, but within closures. Beavers became extinct in the UK in the 16th Century when they were hunted for their fur, meat and scent glands.
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