A total of five kits have now been born to the two parent beavers introduced in 2022 as part of a rewilding first for London

New baby kits have been spotted at Enfield’s beaver reintroduction project.

Following the first baby recorded at the enclosure within the grounds of Forty Hall Farm last year, a further four have now been identified, meaning there are five kits overall and seven beavers in total now living there.

The beaver reintroduction project was a first for London when it launched in March 2022, with Ealing since following with its own rewilding scheme. The Enfield project is run jointly by the council and Capel Manor College and, while it had a troubled start with two deaths in the first few months, the established pair introduced at the end of 2022 now boast a growing family.

Like other beaver projects around the country, the aims are promoting biodiversity and aiding flood alleviation, with the dams that beavers build helping to slow floodwater while also creating new habitats for other wildlife.

Eurasian beavers were hunted to extinction in Britain 400 years ago but have been gradually brought back over the past decade.

The six-hectare enclosure at Forty Hall was carefully designed by Enfield Council, in collaboration with project partners, to support beaver habitation.

Chinelo Anyanwu, Enfield Council’s cabinet member for environment, culture and public spaces, said: “We are delighted with the birth of these baby beavers. This project is a significant step towards enhancing our local biodiversity and improving natural flood defences.

“The success of Enfield Council’s beaver project serves as an inspiring model for future conservation efforts in urban areas. The beavers are already making a positive impact on the ecosystem, and we look forward to seeing continued benefits for the community and the environment.”

Capel Manor College has played a vital role in monitoring and supporting the beavers ensuring the growing family have everything they need to thrive. Meg Wilson, animal collection manager at Capel Manor College, said: “The arrival of the kits highlights the success of our collaboration and the dedication of our staff and students. Monitoring and documenting the positive impact of the beavers is providing invaluable hands-on learning opportunities and underscores the critical role of biodiversity and natural habitat restoration.

“We look forward to witnessing the growth of the kits and their future contribution to the transformation or the local ecosystem.”

The beaver release project is part of Enfield Council’s broader natural flood management initiative, which aims to protect homes and restore local river habitats.

Earlier this year, Enfield Council and Capel Manor College succeeded in securing £50,000 from the Rewild London Fund to enlarge the beaver enclosure. London Wildlife Trust, in partnership with the Mayor of London, is supporting projects which will enhance and restore London Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation.

Watch a video of the beaver kits via Enfield Council’s Youtube channel:
Visit youtube.com/watch?v=Tien0aJ0z6A

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