50 'vulnerable' wild beavers set to be released in West Midlands after species 'illegally bombed' into area

Staffordshire Wildlife Trust (SWT) is moving closer to bringing wild beavers back to Staffordshire in the Trent Valley.

The reintroductions could transform the county’s waterways and help tackle flooding, drought and pollution.

Beavers were once widespread across the UK but were hunted to extinction around 400 years ago.

Following successful trials elsewhere, in 2025 the government confirmed that beavers can be released into the wild under licence.

SWT is currently preparing information for a future full licence application, with plans for a carefully managed 10‑year project.

Once approved, this could see an initial 50 beavers introduced in suitable areas.

In recent years, beavers have appeared across Staffordshire.

However, the Trust believes that they were illegally “beaver bombed” into the area.

Signs of activity have been spotted on the Rivers Sow, Trent, Dove and Tame - including at Trust’s The Wolseley Centre.

The Trust says: “These unofficial releases make it harder to ensure healthy genetic diversity and long-term population stability.

“Thankfully, the landowners hosting these animals are supportive.

“SWT continues to monitor the beavers’ activity and wellbeing.”

Trail camera footage shows at least two pairs of beavers, along with lone beavers, and they can be seen feeding, passing wind and scent marking!

The latter indicates that they have settled in that area and claimed it as their territory.

According to the World Wide Fund for Nature beavers are “one of the largest rodents in the world” and are classed as “near threatened” and “vulnerable” species.