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<\/p>\nBeavers could soon arrive at South Norwood Country Park under plans to boost biodiversity and restore wildlife habitats in Croydon.<\/p>\n
Citizen Zoo worked with the Ealing Beaver Project to introduce London\u2019s first openly accessible urban beaver population in 2023 (Image: Deborah Freeman)<\/p>\n
One of Croydon\u2019s largest parks could soon welcome some unusual new residents, as plans to introduce a colony of beavers are unveiled. The animals would be brought to South Norwood Country Park<\/a> as part of a rewilding project designed to enhance the park\u2019s wildlife and attract more visitors to the Croydon<\/a> nature reserve.<\/p>\n Croydon’s plans for the park would also see its visitors centre bought back to life as an education hub, after six years of closure. The beaver proposals, backed by Croydon Council<\/a>, are being developed in partnership with urban rewilding experts Citizen Zoo.<\/p>\n The organisation, alongside the Ealing<\/a> Beaver Project, was behind London\u2019s first openly accessible urban beaver population<\/a>, launched in Ealing <\/a>in 2023.<\/p>\n The visitor centre at South Norwood Country Park has been closed since 2020 after being damaged by a fire (Image: Harrison Galliven)<\/p>\n Elliot Newton, Director of Rewilding at Citizen Zoo, said: \u201cFollowing the success of the Ealing Beaver Project, we have been eager to identify new sites where these incredible ecosystem engineers can bring benefits; from boosting biodiversity and cleaning waterways to mitigating climate change impacts.\u201d<\/p>\n He added: \u201cSouth Norwood <\/a>Country Park has huge potential, and we are excited to see how this project could positively impact the local environment and community.\u201d<\/p>\n Citizen Zoo is now undertaking a feasibility study to assess whether South Norwood Country Park is a suitable habitat for the beavers before any are introduced. Eurasian beavers are known as \u201cecosystem engineers\u201d because of the wetlands and dams they create. These mammals were once a familiar sight across Britain and the capital before being hunted to extinction centuries ago.<\/p>\n South Norwood Country Park is one of Croydon\u2019s larger green spaces, featuring a pond and a play area on land that was once a former sewage site. It is hoped that their reintroduction would improve water quality, reduce flooding, and provide habitats for fish, birds, insects, and other mammals around the park\u2019s ponds and wetland areas.<\/p>\n Mayor Jason Perry said: \u201cThe introduction of beavers in South Norwood Country Park would benefit local wildlife and be a massive boost for the borough.”(Image: Harrison Galliven)<\/p>\n Approval would see the beavers housed in London\u2019s largest secure enclosure, which would be fully accessible to the public, including local dog walkers. However, the project would also require additional funding and licences from Natural England if it is to progress.<\/p>\n Croydon’s plans for the park also include rebuilding its visitor centre and restoring it as a hub for nature education. The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) previously reported that the visitor centre, damaged in an arson attack in 2020, remains closed despite repeated promises to reopen it.<\/a><\/p>\n This delay has led to frustration among residents and members of the team who run the kiosk next to the visitors centre. Their members told the LDRS: “We’re delighted to see Croydon Council’s commitment to reopening the visitor centre at South Norwood Country Park as part of the beaver rewilding project. The beaver initiative is genuinely exciting and will undoubtedly enhance the park’s biodiversity and appeal.”<\/p>\n However, the team believes the council still has work to do to make the centre \u201ca thriving, self-sufficient community hub.\u201d They warn that transforming it solely for educational use risks turning it into \u201ca one-time visit destination\u201d rather than a space that people want to visit week after week.<\/p>\n The council has planned a public consultation for February, allowing residents to share their views on the proposals. This will include a questionnaire, community talks and local nature walks.<\/p>\n In an announcement made today (January 14), Croydon Council\u2019s Executive Mayor, Jason Perry<\/a> told the LDRS: \u201cThe introduction of beavers in South Norwood Country Park would benefit local wildlife and be a massive boost for the borough.<\/p>\n \u201cIt would support the park\u2019s biodiversity, and residents and visitors will benefit from investment in a revitalised visitor centre. I look forward to hearing what residents think about these exciting proposals.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"South](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/0_South-Norwood-Country-Park.jpg\")
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