Bringing back beavers

Beavers create thriving ecosystems and make habitat for other wildlife. For free!

The Eurasian beaver (Castor fiber) is Europe's largest rodent and was native to Britain. Sadly they were hunted to extinction in the 16th century for fur, meat and scent glands. The loss of this charismatic species also led to loss of the mosaic of lakes, meres, mires, tarns and boggy places that it so brilliantly built and managed.

Beryl and Bertie have been beavering away in their new home at Shrewsbury Town Council's Old River Bed since February 2025 and quickly made their mark on their environment.

Thanks to our team of dedicated volunteers we have been closely monitoring their progress, and they've been busy during their first year!

Timeline of Old River Bed beavers first year in their new home

Click here for the expanded Beaver timeline

A historic year for Shropshire’s first beavers in over 400 years

7 February 2025 – Release Day
Beryl and Bertie, a pair of Eurasian beavers, are officially released into the Old River Bed in Shrewsbury — the first beavers to live in Shropshire in more than four centuries.

Two Weeks After Release – Lodge Completed (late February 2025)
Within just a fortnight, Beryl and Bertie construct their primary lodge — an impressive feat showing they’ve adapted quickly to their new habitat.

18 March 2025 – Beaver Celebration Day
Funders are invited to the Old River Bed to see the project site and celebrate the beginning of Shropshire’s beaver story. A huge thank you goes to our funders for making this possible.

Late March – Early April 2025 – First Dam Maintenance & Channel Work
Trail cameras capture the pair beginning to tidy up natural channels and manipulate water flow, a key ecological behaviour.

4 April 2025 – First Tree Felled
The pair make their presence known with their very first freshly-chomped tree, an early sign they’re settling in beautifully.

7 April 2025 – Naming Opens
Local schools submit imaginative names, which then go to a public vote to choose titles for our new residents.

14 April 2025 – Introducing Beryl & Bertie
The winning names are announced! The beavers are officially christened Beryl and Bertie thanks to the fantastic input of Shropshire schools and the local community.

25 June 2025 – First Daylight Sighting
A rare daytime appearance delights the team as one of the pair is spotted out and about on a summer morning.

July–September 2025 – Habitat Transformation

New pools begin to form as small dams develop
Trail cameras pick up grooming behaviours, pair-bonding moments, and night-time foraging routes becoming more established

5 November 2025 – The Beaver Moon
On the night of the Beaver Moon — traditionally linked to when beavers prepare for winter — the team notes heightened beaver activity and maintenance on the lodge and canals.

Mid–Late November 2025 – Secret Preparations
Unbeknownst to us at the time, Beryl and Bertie are caring for their newborn kit inside the lodge.

1 December 2025 – A Historic Announcement
For the first time in over 400 years, a beaver kit is confirmed in Shropshire. Footage and signs around the lodge reveal a healthy new addition — a landmark moment for nature recovery in the county.