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The future is uncertain for a family of Scottish beavers, but they may find solace in the London Borough of Ealing, where an innovative urban rewilding experiment is on the horizon.
While it would be charming to imagine these beaver refugees arriving in Ealing wearing little coats with labels that read “Please look after this beaver,” the reality is they will likely arrive in cages in the back of a van.
The ancestors of these beavers were previously absent from Tayside due to human hunting in the 16th century—an era when beavers were hunted for their delicious meat, prized fur, and useful musk sacs. Medieval texts even tell of beavers sacrificing their testicles to appease hunters.
However, in recent times, conflicts have arisen between farmers and rewilders in the catchment area of the Scottish river. Some conservationists engaged in “charismatic mammal fly tipping,” releasing continental beavers under the cover of darkness. These beavers flourished, coppicing trees, building dams, creating pools, and producing new generations of beavers.
Currently, there are approximately 1,500 beavers in Scotland, with the population expected to rise to 10,000 by 2030, raising concerns of an invasion of these large, amphibious rodents. However, there is ample space in Scotland for both humans and beavers. When placed in suitable environments, beavers offer many benefits by checking erosive flooding, creating wildlife havens and carbon sinks.
Problems only arise when interests clash, such as when beavers flood farmland, damaging fragile rural incomes, or when farmers resort to killing beavers, angering animal lovers. To address these conflicts, NatureScot, a Scottish government agency, is leaning towards relocation as a solution for nuisance beavers, allowing farmers to apply for rehoming.
In October, Ealing will receive a family of “Asbo beavers” – a mated pair and their young. Ealing Wildlife Group founder Sean McCormack envisions these beavers as hydrological engineers, tasked with transforming Costons Brook, which struggles to handle rainstorms resulting from climate change. Flash floods inundate the surrounding streets, creating hazards for commuters and fast-food lovers alike.
McCormack sees the potential for beavers to stimulate the area’s ecosystem by coppicing willows, building dams, and connecting pools. He envisions wetlands that sparkle in the sunlight, hosting flocks of birds and offering residents a chance to connect with nature. Of course, this reintroduction project comes at a cost, with estimated expenses reaching £100,000, primarily covered by Ealing Council and the Mayor of London.
While challenges lie ahead, I realized during McCormack’s tour that towns have become favorable habitats for some wild animals, offering diverse ecosystems and protection from firearms. Parks and gardens in towns and suburbs can even be a haven for rare species such as sea eagles, red kites, and pine martens.
So why not embrace beavers in Ealing? It’s a city that has always welcomed newcomers, and with careful management, these Scottish beavers could help alleviate flooding issues.
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