Two beavers released into the wild in Exmoor earlier this year have formed a pair – and now may even start their own family.
Trail-camera footage from the National Trust’s Holnicote Estate shows what conservationists have said is a blossoming relationship between the rodent pair.
The animals were captured grooming one another and spending time close together, indicating they are settling into the landscape and establishing the social bonds that could form the basis of a future family group.
The beavers were released in February and are part of the second wild release on National Trust land – and the third in England – since last year.
Mathieu Burtschell, a National Trust ranger, described seeing the pair together as ‘really exciting’.
He said: ‘When the animals were released, we hoped they would explore the landscape, establish territories and begin forming the relationships that are so important to a healthy beaver population.
‘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.
‘They are largely active at night, so trail cameras give us a valuable window into what they are doing when we are not there.’
Mr Burtschell added if the pair remain together, they may eventually ‘establish their own family group and help strengthen the beaver population across the estate.’
Two beavers that were released in Exmoor earlier this year have formed a pair – and may even start their own family (Pictured: CCTV footage of the pair)
The animals were spotted grooming one another and spending time close together
Beavers – the world’s second-largest rodent – typically live in small family groups centred around an adult pair who usually mate for life.
Once established in a territory, their dams, canals and wetlands can create new habitats for wildlife while helping water remain in the landscape for longer.
Releasing the beavers into the wild is part of the National Trust’s work to restore rivers, wetlands and floodplains across the 5,000-hectare Holnicote Estate in Somerset.
The beavers are being monitored to understand how they settle, move through the catchment and shape the surrounding habitat.
