Beavers are back in Dorset after more than 400 years

The pair, which have been released as part of the landmark project led by Dorset Wildlife Trust, are an adult male and female.

They have been relocated to west Dorset from Scotland under a special licence – and their new home is not accessible to the public.

However, the enclosed site will be monitored and close-up video and photos will be made available as the creatures start to explore.

The beavers have been released at an undisclosed site. Picture: Dorset Wildlife Trust/James Burland

Dorset Wildlife Trust rivers conservation officer, Steve Oliver, said: "It is fantastic to be welcoming beavers back to Dorset.

"Beavers are magnificent creatures in their own right, but they are extra special because their engineering activities have the potential to bring even more life to a landscape and enable other species to flourish.”

“We are extremely excited to host this project, working alongside our lead partners University of Exeter and Wessex Water to study all the impacts beavers bring to a local Dorset site, adding to the growing scientific evidence gathered from other reintroduction projects around the country."

The beavers have been reintroduced as part of a scientific study, with a key focus on recording the impact the beavers have on water quality, flooding and other wildlife.

The beavers have been released at an undisclosed site. Picture: Dorset Wildlife Trust/James Burland

University of Exeter’s professor Richard Brazier said: “This will contribute to a growing body of knowledge and understanding across Great Britain of the impact beavers have on landscapes.

"It is a really unique study for us, to do this in the headwaters of a chalk stream.

“Beavers have been present on the planet for 40 million years or so, so they’re a highly adapted species and know how to manage water resources.

"We could really learn a lot from them.”

Meanwhile, Ruth Barden, Wessex Water’s director of catchment and environmental strategy, said: “We’re eager to be supporting Dorset Wildlife Trust and the University of Exeter in this enclosed beaver reintroduction project.

“We’re keen to better understand the water quality improvements which this project may provide and recognise the huge natural river engineering potential offered by beaver reintroductions, while being mindful of some concerns from farming and fishing sectors.

“This managed trial offers a great opportunity to collect robust science and evidence to inform future reintroduction projects.”