Love is in the air as Exmoor beavers find a partner
By Animals Correspondent
Trail cameras capture newly released beavers grooming and settling into their new home
There could be a new beaver romance blossoming on Exmoor after trail-camera footage captured two newly released animals spending time together at the National Trust’s Holnicote Estate.
The pair have been filmed grooming each other and staying close — an encouraging sign that they are settling into the landscape and forming the social bonds that could eventually lead to a family group.
The beavers were among several released across the estate in February and March under licence from Natural England, with support from Beaver Trust. The release included animals from distinct genetic groups to help establish a healthy and diverse population.
“Seeing these two beavers together on the trail camera is really exciting,” said Mathieu Burtschell, a ranger with the National Trust’s Somerset Coast and Countryside team.
“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.”
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As beavers are largely active at night, the trail cameras provide an important glimpse into their lives after dark.
“If the pair remains together, they could eventually establish their own family group and help strengthen the beaver population across the estate,” Mathieu said.
Beavers are known as nature’s engineers.
Their dams, canals and wetlands can create new habitats for wildlife while helping water remain in the landscape for longer.
The February release, funded by Admiral, forms part of the National Trust’s wider work to restore rivers, wetlands and floodplains across the 5,000-hectare Holnicote Estate.
