Beavers 'could be back in Northamptonshire in October'

Beavers are set to return to a county after 400 years when they are released in October.

The Wildlife Trust for Beds, Cambs and Northants is waiting for the ground to dry so fences can be installed at the Nene Wetlands near Rushden, Northamptonshire.

It said the Beaver Trust would be moving beavers from Scotland to Northamptonshire over the summer.

A viewing platform has been provided so people will be able to see the animals.

The Wildlife Trust has secured a licence from Natural England to release some beavers at the reserve.

It said four centuries were thought to have passed since the animals were last seen in Northamptonshire.

Matt Johnson, Northamptonshire conservation manager for the Wildlife Trust, said a lot of work had been done to create an enclosed area for the reserve's new residents.

He said: "We've done a bit of tree works down at the Nene Wetlands this winter just to clear the line for the fence to go in and take out some of the older trees that were starting to topple on to the paths as well, and [we're] waiting for the ground to dry up."

Fencing was due to be installed in May or June, he said, ahead of the beavers' arrival over the summer.

Mr Johnson said the creatures were currently in Tayside, Scotland.

"They're free living up there so the Beaver Trust do translocate them from areas where they're in conflict with landowners or flood defences, and then rehome them in areas where we've got lots of great habitat for them to eat, sleep and enjoy life," he said.

The trust aims to release them into the Nene Wetlands in early October, although the timescale will depend on how long it takes to catch them and the length of the quarantine period.

Mr Johnson said one of the gravel pits at the reserve had a viewing platform so people would be able to "take their luck" at spotting a beaver.

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