Rangers and volunteers at Mapperton Estate are searching for Woody and Twiggy, two rewilding beavers who have escaped their enclosure for the second time. It is believed that the recent bad weather damaged their habitat, allowing them to find their way out...
The Eurasian beaver pair, originally introduced to the estate in 2022 under Natural England’s rewilding programme, made their second escape during the bad weather in the lead-up to Christmas.
Luke Montagu, Viscount Hinchingbrooke, suspects that the beavers have left in search of better territory. “They like roaming across large areas to find the best possible place to build their lodge and dams,” he explained. “They may have been looking for food or even other beavers.” He suspects they may have followed the Mangerton River or crossed into the River Brit.
Efforts to Track the Pair
Despite ongoing searches, no recent signs of the beavers have been found. Estate ranger Ben Padwick and a team of volunteers are tracking feeding sites and tree damage but have yet to confirm their whereabouts. “We’ve found evidence from previous years, but nothing too recent,” Padwick said.
The pair previously escaped in 2022 after storm damage to their enclosure. On that occasion, they were recaptured 10 days later using a trail of apples and parsnips leading to a trap.
Beavers play a vital role in rewilding efforts, helping to restore natural ecosystems by creating wetlands that support biodiversity. “Beavers are ecosystem engineers,” Montagu said.“They improve the landscape in ways we never could.”
Meanwhile, wild beavers could soon return to the Isle of Wight for the first time in over 400 years. Ecologists believe the Eastern Yar River is a suitable habitat, with theHampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust managing around 300 acres of connected nature reserves in the area.
While the search for Woody and Twiggy continues, estate managers remain optimistic. “If they don’t come back, we will introduce new beavers to continue our rewilding efforts,”Montagu said.
For now, the hunt for the elusive beavers goes on.
Hambledons: Here to help
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