Local Beaver Makes Historic Move to Wales

Landmark rewilding effort possible after expansion of Greenford colony

Beaver reintroduction is part of a wider effort by the London Beaver Working Group. Picture: Citizen Zoo

November 5, 2025

A young female beaver from the Ealing Beaver Project has embarked on a groundbreaking journey to mid-Wales, marking the first time an urban beaver has been translocated to support national rewilding efforts. The move is part of a growing collaboration between the local team and the Dyfi Osprey Project, aimed at restoring Britain’s beaver population and revitalising wetland ecosystems.

The beaver, raised in the UK’s first urban and fully accessible beaver enclosure at Paradise Fields in Greenford, has been relocated to the Cors Dyfi reserve in Powys, where she will join a male beaver named Barti. Conservationists hope the pair will form a new family and contribute to the long-term recovery of the species in Wales.

“This story captures exactly what rewilding should be about – connection, collaboration and hope,” said Elliot Newton, Co-founder and Director of Rewilding at Citizen Zoo. “Our London beavers have already transformed Paradise Fields, showing that wildlife can thrive alongside people in cities. Now, one of the females will help breathe new life into a Welsh wetland.”

The Ealing Beaver Project is a partnership between Ealing Wildlife Group, Citizen Zoo, Ealing Council, Friends of Horsenden Hill, and the Beaver Trust. Since its launch, the project has demonstrated the ecological and social benefits of urban rewilding. Local antisocial behaviour has dropped by 90%, and the beavers’ natural dam-building has helped prevent flooding and improve drought resilience in one of the driest years on record.

Beaver families are typically led by a dominant female and after about three years, young beavers naturally disperse to establish new territories. However, because the Greenford site is enclosed, natural dispersal is not possible. The relocation to Wales was carefully planned to support genetic diversity and ensure the wellbeing of both animals.

Dr Sean McCormack, project lead and licence holder for the Ealing Beaver Project, said, “After many late nights and early mornings trapping, I’m delighted we caught one of our eligible Ealing beaver daughters to help start a new beaver family in Wales. All of our beaver community in Ealing are thrilled our project could help and hope she settles in well with Barti in the glorious setting of Cors Dyfi.”

The Cors Dyfi reserve, managed by Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trust, is undergoing restoration to re-establish its wetland peat bog. Emyr Evans, Dyfi Projects Manager, described the beaver’s arrival as “instrumental” to the success of the landscape restoration initiative.

. The London Beaver Working Group is now exploring ways to create more suitable wetland habitats across the capital to allow future generations of beavers to disperse and thrive.

For more information, visit theealingbeaverproject.com.