Sanctuary welcomes baby beavers for first time in two years

The Cornish Seal Sanctuary is starting 2024 with three new additions as it welcomes a family of young Eurasian beavers to Secret Creek for the first time in two years.

The kits, who are less than a year old, arrived at the Sanctuary as orphans after being translocated by the Beaver Trust.

It comes after beavers Norbert and Barbara, who had been living at the Cornish Seal Sanctuary since 2020, moved onto their new home at Poole Farm, Devon, following a successful rehabilitation.

Tamara Cooper, Curator for the Cornish Seal Sanctuary, says: “It’s a really exciting time for the Cornish Seal Sanctuary; our beaver habitat makes up a vital part of our conservation work, and to see this wonderful success from our rehabilitation project has just been incredible.

“Now, we’re thrilled to be starting the next phase of this project with our three new beaver kits, and we can’t wait to see what they create with this space!”

Today, the youngsters are living in the charity’s Beavery Nursery, which has been specifically built to home kits who aren’t quite ready to live in larger woodland areas. This area will allow the trio to build the skills necessary to survive as adults.

Later, they will move into the larger beaver habitat next door, where they will be able to build dams, lodges and shape the woodland area for their needs.

Dr Roisin Campbell-Palmer, Head of Restoration at Beaver Trust, says: “During some regular trapping to translocate a family of beavers unfortunately flooding made it impossible to find the parents of these three kits.

“So, we're glad to be working with the Cornish Seal Sanctuary who are able to offer a temporary home for these kits until they are big enough for onward release elsewhere in the country.

“Partnerships like these are fundamental to maintaining high welfare standards in beaver restoration.”

Jana Sirova, Head of SEA LIFE TRUST Sanctuaries, adds: “Now is the perfect time to see these budding beavers in action, before they move into the larger habitat.

“Watch the beavers in the nursery or catch them on our beaver cam outside the hut. There’s plenty to learn about these amazing creatures on your visit to the Sanctuary.”

Beavers are known as a ‘keystone species’, as their natural behaviour has a big impact on our landscape and wildlife. By damming waterways, beavers pool water, creating new wetland and attracting wildlife, which in turn provides a home and water source for many species. 

To find out more about the Cornish Seal Sanctuary’s Secret Creek Beaver Project, click here.