The Wildlife Trusts in Wales highly commend the Welsh Government’s decision to officially recognise European beavers (Castor fiber) as a native species and award them full legal protection. 

The announcement by the Deputy First Minister, Huw Irranca-Davies, that the Welsh Government will extend European Protected Species status to beavers is wonderful news for this remarkable mammal, whose natural behaviour can help restore and manage rivers and freshwater habitats for the benefit of wildlife and people. Their protection will make it illegal to deliberately harm beavers or damage their habitats.

A survey by the University of Exeter in 2023 found that 88.70% of respondents in Wales supported beavers returning to the wild and 83.72% wanted them to have ‘strong legal protection’ so this move will be supported by the vast majority of people in Wales.

Through the Welsh Beaver Project, the Wildlife Trusts in Wales have been working for 20 years to successfully restore wild beavers to the Welsh landscape and this decision marks the most significant step to date in achieving that vision. The Wildlife Trusts have pioneered the reintroduction of beavers and they achieved protected status in Scotland in 2019 and England in 2022, so this welcome move aligns legislation in Wales with the rest of Britain.

Through the Living With Beavers In The Dyfi Catchment Project, the Welsh Beaver Project is currently developing a volunteer Beaver Management Network. This is funded by the Nature Networks Fund (round two), which is delivered by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, on behalf of the Welsh Government and in partnership with Natural Resources Wales.

Alicia Leow-Dyke, Welsh Beaver Project Officer says:

“To fully realise the benefits of beavers, while also supporting land managers by addressing any local challenges, it is essential to have legal protections in place alongside an effective management framework. This announcement marks a huge milestone in the re-establishment of wild beavers to Wales.”

Joyce Watson MS, Senedd Species Champion for Beavers says:

“I was delighted by the Minister’s strong response to my debate. He confirmed that the government plans to bring forward legislation to give protected status to beavers in Wales.

“As Beaver Champion for Wales, I recently joined the Welsh Beaver Project team at Cors Dyfi near Machynlleth, where an enclosure supports a family of beavers. At a time when our rivers are under threat, beavers could be critical to improving water quality and reducing flood risks. They are amazing eco-engineers – re-establishing sustainable populations could breathe new life into our water systems, for the benefit of wildlife and people.

“Beavers have been extinct in Wales since Tudor times, yet consultation shows tremendous public support for their reintroduction - Wales is eager for beavers!”