Pensthorpe Natural Park
The beaver at Pensthorpe Natural Park was spotted on camera and has been monitored for several weeks
A nature reserve has recorded the first wild beaver living at its site.
The animal was spotted several weeks ago at Pensthorpe Natural Park near Fakenham, Norfolk.
Beavers become extinct in Britain in the 16th Century due to overhunting, and this one is thought to be the first wild beaver in Norfolk for centuries.
Reserve manager Richard Spowage said: “The fact that it has chosen our land to establish a territory reflects the ongoing work we have been doing to improve our river and surrounding land for nature.”
Mr Spowage added that its presence was “extremely low-impact and an encouraging indicator of ecological recovery”.
“This discovery is an exciting moment for Pensthorpe,” he said.
Pensthorpe Natural Park
Bark stripped from trees at the nature reserve is believed to be the work of the beaver
Because the beaver is nocturnal, sightings are extremely rare and the reserve said it was not promoting it as a visitor attraction but rather celebrating what its discovery meant for the site.
In other parts of the UK, beavers have been reintroduced into the wild after the government gave its approval earlier this year.
“Wetlands are some of the most threatened habitats in the UK,” Mr Spowage said.
“To have a beaver recorded here is a reminder of what’s possible when you restore nature at scale.
“It’s a moment of hope, not just for Pensthorpe but for wildlife across Norfolk.”