A First for the Sanctuary: Parsnip and Turnip Begin Their Wild Adventure!

On Friday 13th February, we were proud (and a little bit emotional) to watch Parsnip and Turnip, a young pair of beavers cared for here at the Sanctuary, begin their new life in the wild.

Their release into the Par and Fowey River catchment area, marks the first time the Sanctuary has released a pair of beavers into the wild.

The release forms part of Cornwall Wildlife Trust’s fully licensed programme to return beavers to waterways across Cornwall, a vital step in restoring natural river processes and boosting biodiversity.

Carrying the crate- Beaver Trust

Parsnip leaves the water- Beaver Trust

Turnip

From Rescue to Release

Parsnip and Turnip arrived at the Sanctuary from very different beginnings. Parsnip, a one-year-old female, joined us in December 2025. She was born in Forestry England’s Cropton Forest enclosure, but after her mother sadly died, she was at risk of inbreeding. Identified as suitable for translocation, Parsnip made her way to Cornwall via a short stay at Flamingo Land, to prepare for a future in the wild.

Turnip’s early life was far more dramatic. As a tiny kit weighing just 860g, he was washed downstream during a storm and rescued by the Scottish SPCA. He was taken to their National Wildlife Rescue Centre in Alloa, where he received intensive care and was carefully hand-reared by expert staff. With patient rehabilitation, Turnip grew stronger, learned to swim and forage, and by November 2024 , weighing a healthy 10kg, he was ready for the next stage of his journey here in Cornwall.

 

Finding Sanctuary

Using the Beaver Trust studbook, which supports genetic diversity across England’s beaver population, Parsnip and Turnip were carefully matched and introduced at the Sanctuary.

They spent several months living together in our four-acre beaver enclosure learning natural behaviours and acclimatising to the Cornish environment. This enclosure is specially designed for young or rehabilitating beavers, giving them the space and conditions they need to develop essential natural skills.

During their time here, Parsnip and Turnip practised dam building, burrowing and foraging, gradually building confidence as a bonded pair and preparing for life without human support.

 

 

Back Where Beavers Belong

Following months of preparation, the pair were released into the Par and Fowey river catchment. Their progress will now be monitored by the Cornwall Wildlife Trust team as they settle into their new fully wild environment.

Watching Parsnip and Turnip leave the Sanctuary was a proud moment for everyone involved, and a powerful reminder of why rehabilitation, collaboration and conservation really matter. We hope Parsnip and Turnip will establish their own territory, thrive, and play an important role in the long-term recovery of beavers in Cornwall.

We wish them every success as they begin their wild adventure. 💚

Watch the release on Instagram 

 

 

Why Beavers Matter

Beavers are often described as nature’s engineers…and for good reason. By building dams and creating wetlands, they:

• Slow water flow, helping to reduce downstream flooding
• Improve water quality by filtering sediment and pollutants
• Create rich wetland habitats for birds, amphibians, fish and insects
• Boost biodiversity across entire river catchments
• Help landscapes adapt to climate change by storing water during droughts

Their return is not just about one species. It’s about restoring healthier, more resilient ecosystems for the future.

 

About Beaver Trust 

Beaver Trust is a nature restoration charity working to restore beavers to regenerate landscapes. As Britain’s leading beaver specialists, Beaver Trust delivers all aspects of practical beaver reintroduction, from feasibility assessments and licensing to animal health, welfare and long-term management. Alongside this work, Beaver Trust supports communities to live alongside beavers through advice, mitigation and education, and advocates for legislation while leading national conversations on the role of beavers in restoring ecosystems and building climate resilience. For more information, visit beavertrust.org. 

Read more about the Cornwall Wildlife Trust Beaver Project