A PROJECT has been launched to try and bring beavers back to Gloucestershire.
Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust have launched the Project Beaver appeal and could see the mammal make a comeback in the county after an absence of more than four centuries.
Although there have been fenced reintroductions into the county, including at Greathough Brook in the Forest of Dean and Cotswold Water Park, if successful this will be the first time a wild reintroduction takes place in Gloucestershire.
The project is being jointly managed by Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust (GWT) and Forestry England and is currently in its initial stages, with GWT launching their appeal to get the work started.
Beavers were once found throughout Britain but the animals were hunted to extinction in the 16th century for their fur, glands and meat.
GWT are now raising money to carry out a feasibility study, which will allow them to identify the best locations for beaver reintroductions, as well as locations that won’t work.
GWT’s ecosystem recovery manager Anna Tarbet said: “The beaver feasibility study will be assessing what’s possible when it comes to reintroductions here in Gloucestershire.
"We’ll be looking at biological aspects, such as where’s the right habitat, but also what impact they could have on humans and humans on them.
“We’ll be working with landowners and communities every step of the way, making sure we understand the possible impact of beavers on agriculture and livelihoods at any proposed location.
“It’s a true feasibility study, so we’re not going in with any locations in mind. It’s really exciting to see where the project will take us.”
Ben Robinson, environment manager at Forestry England said: “We have already seen the changes beavers can bring to a landscape at Greathough Brook.
“These amazing animals are a keystone species, and known as an ecosystem engineer they can restore habitat, by creating feeding and breeding opportunities for a range of other wildlife.
“It’s fantastic to be exploring opportunities to bring back a free-living beaver population to the county.”
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