Public consultation on the potential for wild beaver release in the River Hooke and Frome Catchment

Beavers are a keystone species and a vital part of our natural environment. They were once widespread across UK freshwater habitats, and help is needed to successfully restore their population. Beavers are 'ecosystem engineers' with the ability to restore wetlands, reduce flood risk, improve water quality, and boost biodiversity, acting as a nature-based solution to environmental challenges and helping to meet national recovery targets. Their dam-building activity creates diverse habitats, slows water flow, filters pollutants, and supports other wildlife, making landscapes more resilient to climate change impacts such as drought and flooding, with careful management balancing these benefits against potential impacts on farming and other land management practices.

A public consultation on wild beaver release is essential to ensure that reintroducing such an influential species is done responsibly, gathering diverse views from landowners, farmers, communities, conservationists and other key stakeholders to develop management plans, support, and an understanding of what is needed for successful coexistence. It is an opportunity for all to feed into this potential reintroduction project, facilitating collaborative planning and helping to maximise the significant environmental benefits whilst minimising any negative impacts of any future project.

Dorset Wildlife Trust is investigating the potential for wild beaver release into the River Hooke and wider Frome Catchment. The River Hooke is a tributary of the River Frome and is one of 12 water bodies that make up the River Frome Catchment (approx. 460 km²), which is part of the wider Poole Harbour Rivers Operational Catchment (approx. 820 km2). The 12 water bodies in the River Frome Catchment are: Cerne, Frome Dorset (Headwaters), Frome Dorset (Lower) downstream of Louds Mill, Dorchester, Frome Dorset (Lower) upstream of Louds Mill, Dorchester, Frome Dorset (Upper), Frome Dorset Trib (River Win), Frome Trib (Luckford Lake), Hooke, South Winterbourne, Sydling Water, Tadnoll Brook (including Empool Bottom) and Wraxall Brook.

There are wild populations of beaver in many parts of the country, including the south-west. This includes Dorset, where there are a small number of beavers living wild in the River Stour Catchment and the Purbeck area. There are also small populations of wild beaver living on rivers in the neighbouring counties of Devon, Somerset, Wiltshire and Hampshire. A key part of species reintroduction is the vital importance of creating a genetically viable population that is robust and adaptable to climate change and disease. The River Frome Catchment is perfectly placed for a licensed and controlled reintroduction project to bridge gaps in existing beaver populations, allowing metapopulation interactions. Feasibility studies have shown that the potential wild release area has very suitable habitat for beavers. The River Hooke has hosted Dorset Wildlife Trust’s enclosed Beaver Project since February 2021, and beavers have thrived in this location, highlighting the suitability of this area and the wider Frome Catchment for potential wild release.

The River Frome Catchment is a large area (approx. 460 km²), meaning a significant number of beavers must be released initially to produce a genetically diverse and viable population in future. A phased approach would be favoured, with up to 50 beavers released across around ten suitably identified release sites over several years, including the existing Dorset Beaver Project site on the River Hooke, which is currently enclosed. Not all water bodies within the River Frome Catchment would be selected for active beaver release, but they might later accommodate beavers as populations grow and new areas are colonised.

Dorset Wildlife Trust would like to hear from any landowners and managers who are interested in the potential for wild beaver release on their land within the River Frome Catchment along the following water bodies: Hooke, Wraxall Brook, Frome Dorset (Headwaters), Frome Dorset (Upper), Frome Dorset (Lower) u/s Louds Mill Dorchester, Frome Dorset (Lower) d/s Louds Mill, Dorchester, and Tadnoll Brook (including Empool Bottom). Potentially suitable release sites (i.e. with freshwater and abundant bankside vegetation) will then be investigated further, so please do get in touch at beavers@dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk. 

Beavers are an influential species, and it is important for us all to learn about these returning mammals, what it means to live alongside them once again, and any potential challenges this may bring. This will enable us to maximise the multiple benefits beavers offer, whilst reducing any potential conflict. Countryside Stewardship schemes are available to support making space for beavers, as well as beaver impact mitigation for tree protection, crop protection, and dam management advice. See here for further information. The ‘Dorset Beaver Management Group’ has already been established to provide information, advice, and support to communities living alongside beavers.

Existing wild beaver populations will gradually expand and colonise new areas of suitable freshwater habitat, but genetic diversity will be low, meaning the population will be vulnerable to disease and the possible effects of climate change. A licensed wild-release beaver reintroduction project in this area is a unique opportunity to ensure a genetically viable and robust beaver population is established.

No. Once the full application is submitted, it must be approved by Natural England before a wild release beaver licence is granted. Public consultation is an important part of this process.