Two beavers released into the wild in Exmoor earlier this year have formed a pair and can now even start their own families.
Trail camera footage of the National trust‘s Holnicote Estate shows what conservationists say: a blossoming relationship between the rodent pair.
The animals were recorded grooming each other and spending time close together, indicating that they are settling into the landscape and building 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 form the relationships that are so important to a healthy beaver population.
‘The fact that they have banded together is a good indication that they have found the right conditions on Holnicote, with enough suitable habitat, food and space to establish a territory together.
‘They are largely active at night, so trail cameras give us valuable insight into what they are doing when we are not there.’
Mr. Burtschell added if the couple stays together they may eventually ‘establish their own family group and help strengthen the beaver population on the estate.’
Two beavers released into Exmoor earlier this year have formed a pair and may even start their own family (Picture: CCTV footage of the pair)
The animals were spotted grooming each other and spending time close together
Beavers – the second largest rodent in the world – typically live in small family groups around an adult pair that usually mate for life.
Once their dams, canals and wetlands become established in an area, they can create new habitats for wildlife while ensuring water stays in the landscape longer.
Releasing the beavers into the wild is part of the National Trust’s work to restore rivers, wetlands and floodplains on the 5,000-hectare Holnicote estate in Somerset.
The beavers are monitored to understand how they settle, move through the watershed and shape the surrounding habitat.
