How big is the enclosure?

Beavers are ‘crepuscular’ which means they are most active at dawn and dusk.
For now, we are letting the beavers settle in to their enclosure and (hopefully) get to know each other.
In the future we hope to run dusk talks and tours for visitors to see inside the enclosure and find out more about beavers
We are also forging partnerships with several local schools to enable them to visit and learn more about nature on their doorsteps.

Male- Coombeshead Estate, Devon, via Nottingham Wildlife Trust
Female- Cornish Seal sanctuary at Gweek
Originally, beaver reintroductions in England were from the Tay catchment in Scotland, where relocation is part of the plan to help prevent clashes between local farmers and beaver populations (farmers can obtain a licence to cull). However, these two may have been born at other reintroduction projects

Beavers can both climb and dig, so a fence has to be sturdy if it is going to contain them.
There is an (approx. 3 ft) skirt to the fencing that is buried underground
The wire mesh fence also hangs over into the enclosure to stop them climbing over.
We’ll be monitoring other wildlife that uses the area carefully, and there are measures we can take to make sure they can get over (deer) or through (otters & other mammals)

Beavers are vegetarian and do not eat fish (a common misconception)
They eat trees mainly- bark, leaves and shoots, but also grasses, rushes and other crops
Aspen is their favourite, but Willow is their 2nd favourite and makes up most of their diet

Our female is currently 2 years old, which is a little early to start breeding, but we hope next year
The beaver mating season is between December & February
A beaver family group is usually made up of the adult breeding pair, plus 2 litters of offspring (kits),one from the current and one from the previous year.

Heligan is one of the first reintroduction projects in England that has deliberately incorporated farmland. There is very little data yet on how farmland may be impacted (and consequently, how outraged traditional farmers will be).
We will collect information on how the beavers graze on the pasture and interact with the landscape.
This information could help inform decisions as to whether unlicenced, free release of beavers becomes legal in the future.

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