Following an announcement by the Environment Secretary that the release of beavers into English waterways is to be permitted, A ‘beaver feasibility’ study has begun in Sheffield to consider their reintroduction for the first time in centuries.
Sheffield council was recently awarded £96,000 to review the potential benefits that beavers could have on local landscapes.
Councillor Kurtis Crossland, Chair of the Communities, Parks and Leisure Committee said: “It is crucial that we think outside of the box and look at innovative ways to help us support our ambitions to tackle environmental challenges we face”.
He added: “We’ve seen the results of beaver introduction in other areas of the UK and the evidence shows how their natural skills can support our environment, wildlife, and communities.”
Through the beavers building dams, water quality can be improved and the risk of flooding can be reduced by slowing its flow, as well as helping a multitude of wildlife in the local area.
Experts from the Beaver Trust have begun conducting research around South Yorkshire to assess which locations would be most suitable, as well as considering any challenges that may be faced in their introduction.
Roy Mosley, Head of Nature Recovery at Sheffield and Rotherham Wildlife Trust said: “The Trust have worked tirelessly in campaigning for this and have built a compelling evidence base from work undertaken on the ground. Hopefully this brings the prospect of seeing beavers locally a step closer.”
Beavers were hunted to extinction in the UK, but there are already some living in the wild in Devon along the River Otter.
The Eurasian Beaver is native to the UK and classed as a keystone species, which means they help support the environment and its ecosystems.
Richard Brazier, Professor of Earth Surface Processes at the University of Exeter said: “work that our team has undertaken shows that a significant amount of high-quality beaver habitats exists around Sheffield, with most supporting beaver territories.”
The first releases after the change could happen in Autumn this year.