Eurasian Beaver now legally protected in England
Eurasian beavers have been recognised as a European protected species in England, making it illegal to capture, kill, injure or disturb them.
The move limits measures previously available to “control” beavers.
Landowners will not be able to damage a burrow or dam without a license from Natural England, for example.
Wildlife charities praised the move, saying beavers’ dams helped the environment, keeping water clean and preventing flooding and drought.
“Beavers bring such an astonishing array of ecosystem services to our landscape, this truly is an historic day for the species in England,” said Sandra King, chief executive of Beaver Trust.
The National Farmers’ Union had previously objected to beavers becoming a protected species, saying their dams could pose a flooding risk to agricultural land.
Beavers are now a European Protected species under The Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017.
These protections apply to species which are endangered, vulnerable, rare or otherwise at risk across Europe. Other European Protected Species present in the UK include bats, the Large Blue Butterfly, the Sand Lizard and the Natterjack Toad.
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