Wild beaver kits born in Norfolk for first time in more than 500 years
Two wild beaver kits have been born in Norfolk, England, marking the first time the species has bred in the region in over 500 years. The kits are the offspring of a mysterious pair of beavers that appeared at the Pensthorpe Nature Reserve last December.
Why it matters
This event represents a significant milestone in the rewilding of the English countryside and the recovery of a native species once hunted to extinction.
The two wild beaver kits captured on camera trap footage. Photograph: Pensthorpe Nature Reserve The two wild beaver kits captured on camera trap footage. Photograph: Pensthorpe Nature Reserve Animals Wild beaver kits born in Norfolk for first time in more than 500 years Pair are offspring of two beavers who mysteriously arrived in Pensthorpe nature reserve near Fakenham in December
Prefer the Guardian on Google Wild beaver kits have been born in Norfolk for the first time in more than 500 years.
The pair of newborns are the offspring of two free-living beavers who mysteriously arrived in Pensthorpe nature reserve near Fakenham in December.
This couple, who have built a lodge on the River Wensum, were the first wild beavers recorded in Norfolk since the native species was hunted to extinction in England at the beginning of the 16th century.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in