Four new baby kits have been spotted at Enfield Council and Capel Manor College’s beaver enclosure bringing the Enfield family to a total of seven healthy beavers.
This milestone highlights the success of London’s first beaver release project aimed at promoting biodiversity and aiding flood alleviation.
The project, a collaboration between Enfield Council and Capel Manor College – London’s only environmental college - reintroduced beavers in 2022 to the capital for the first time in more than 400 years, after they had been hunted to extinction.
The six-hectare enclosure near the Forty Hall Estate was carefully designed by Enfield Council in collaboration with project partners to support beaver habitation. It has fostered a thriving environment where the Enfield family has now successfully reproduced.
Cllr Chinelo Anyanwu, Enfield Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment, Culture and Public Spaces, commented, “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, commented, “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. By creating a natural wetland ecosystem, the beavers are contributing to flood defence and biodiversity enhancement, aligning with the Council’s Climate Action Plan and Blue and Green Strategy.
Earlier this year, Enfield Council and Capel Manor College succeeded in securing £50,000 from the Rewild London Fund to enlarge the beaver enclosure. The 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.
The above image was taken last year and is of one of the two parents. Watch our Youtube video to see the baby kits, captured by our night cam in the summer of 2024.