River Journeys: Bevis Watts

Searching for wild beavers and finding freedom

“This is the story of a journey of discovery, following a mysterious report of a wild beaver on the River Avon near Bath. It describes intimate observations of life on the river and the ultimate discovery of a family of wild and free beavers and a revitalised environment. In the telling, it reveals how the river offered the author sanctuary and how immersion in the world of the beaver led to his own revival.”

Furthermore, all royalties from this book are split between the Beaver Trust and the Avon Wildlife Trust.

Bringing back the beaver: Derek Gow

The Story of one man’s quest to Rewild Britain’s waterways

Bringing Back the Beaver is farmer-turned-ecologist Derek Gow’s inspirational and often riotously funny firsthand account of how the movement to rewild the British landscape with beavers has become the single most dramatic and subversive nature conservation act of the modern era. Bringing Back the Beaver makes a passionate case as to why the return of one of nature’s great problem solvers will be critical as part of a sustainable fix for flooding and future drought, whilst ensuring the creation of essential lifescapes that enable the broadest possible spectrum of Britain’s wildlife to thrive.

Natures Architect: Jim Crumley

The beaver’s return to our wild landscapes

Hundreds of years after their extinction in these isles, beavers are – controversially- back in Britain. These shy creatures, often misunderstood are the skilled engineers of the natural world and they are already having a dramatic effect on our wild landscapes. Leading nature writer Jim Crumley gives a rare insight into the lives of these intriguing animals and considers the ecological and economic impact of the beaver reintroductions. Employing his trademark beautiful prose and empathy for life in the wild, Crumley contemplates the future for Britain’s beavers and makes a passionate argument for giving them their freedom.

Eager: Ben Goldfarb

The surprising, secret life of beavers and why they matter

Today, a growing coalition of “Beaver Believers”—including scientists, ranchers, and passionate citizens—recognizes that ecosystems with beavers are far healthier, for humans and non-humans alike, than those without them. From the Nevada deserts to the Scottish highlands, Believers are now hard at work restoring these industrious rodents to their former haunts. Eager is a powerful story about one of the world’s most influential species, how North America was colonized, how our landscapes have changed over the centuries, and how beavers can help us fight drought, flooding, wildfire, extinction, and the ravages of climate change. 

The response of a brown trout (Salmo trutta) population to reintroduced Eurasian beaver (Cator Fiber) habitat modification

Needham, et.al (2021) Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences

Beaver reintroductions are increasingly used as a low-cost and self-sustaining means to restore river corridors. River modifications by beavers can increase availability of suitable habitat for fish, including salmonids. This study investigated the response of a population of brown trout to reintroduced Eurasian beaver habitat modifications in northern Scotland.

The Research Report 1274 – Survey of the Tayside Area Beaver Population 2020-2021

Beaver Management Report 2020

Commissioned by Nature Scot (2021)

This study provides details of the latest survey carried out from late 2020 to early 2021.  It describes the methodologies and results to determine the current distribution, territory number and associated population estimate. Evidence of a range of human land-use conflict issues were reported, along with evidence of increasing mitigation measures. Recommendations for future survey actions are made.

Beavers: Ecology, Behaviour, Conservation and Management

Rosell & Campbell-Palmer (2021) OUP Oxford

For the most up-to-date reference guide covering everything, you need to know about North American and Eurasian beavers, look no further.

Frank Rosell is a Professor in behavioural ecology at the University of South-Eastern Norway, working alongside the brilliant Dr Róisín Campbell-Palmer, an independent beaver consultant working throughout Britain.

Beavers in Knapdale: Final Report from the Scottish Beavers Reinforcement Project

Dowse et, al. (2020)

Scottish beavers is a partnership between the Scottish Wildlife Trust and the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland created to continue the work of the Scottish Beaver Trial, which reintroduced Eurasian beavers into Knapdale Forest in 2009.

This report highlights the project and its success in beaver reintroduction. However, it should be noted, there are some concerns and good recommendations to ensure successful expansion and management of the species across the country.

Eurasian beaver (Castor fiber) health surveillance in Britain: Accessing a disjunctive reintroduced population

Campbell-Palmer, et.al (2021) Vet Record

Following the increasing number of translocations that are happening across Britain, this recent paper highlights the health and condition of the British beaver population.

Results show all beavers in good physical condition, whilst showing no concerning signs of harbouring non-native zoonotic diseases.