Baby beavers have been born in London for the first time in 400 years, and they've been caught on camera roaming in Ealing.

The original beaver family was released into the area by Sadiq Khan in October 2023.

Since their release the beavers have improved water quality by filtering water through their dams, and reduced London’s flood risk by creating lagoons.


The Ealing Beaver Project hopes other UK cities and towns will follow suit and reintroduce beavers.

The project's lead is Dr. Sean McCormack who said: "We may need to learn to live alongside them again, and sometimes manage their behaviour, but the ecosystem services they provide have been clearly demonstrated here at the Ealing Beaver Project.

"There’s improved water quality, reduced flooding, habitat improvements and more insects and other wildlife on site. Kingfishers can fish here now because the water is clearer. And now there's at least two cute baby beavers to boot."

At least two beaver kits have been caught on camera in Ealing, London, just eight months after the pioneering reintroduction of a five-member beaver family from Scotland.

Despite being the UK’s most urban beavers, these babies prove the family is thriving. These are the first beavers to breed in urban London for at least 400 years (and possibly ever).

The original beaver family was released in October 2023 by Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan.

Since their release the beavers have improved water quality by filtering water through their dams, and reduced London’s flood risk by creating lagoons. These are perfect habitat for the UK’s fastest declining mammal, the water vole.

The site is right next to a retail park and a fast food drive-through. It is surrounded on all sides by roads and buildings. But in this small, green oasis the beavers have boomed.

The beavers have become emblematic of social justice too. In such an urban setting access to nature and green space is limited.

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said: “It’s an issue of social justice. In London a lot of people don’t have a garden. We’ve got to rewild our city.”

A community has grown up around the beavers and the project is led by volunteers. The beavers are not only rewilding habitat, but they’re also rewilding hearts and minds.

The Ealing Beaver Project hopes other UK cities and towns will follow suit and reintroduce beavers. Project lead is Dr. Sean McCormack.

"We may need to learn to live alongside them again, and sometimes manage their behaviour, but the ecosystem services they provide have been clearly demonstrated here at the Ealing Beaver Project," said Dr McCormack. "There’s improved water quality, reduced flooding, habitat improvements and more insects and other wildlife on site. Kingfishers can fish here now because the water is clearer. And now there's at least two cute baby beavers to boot."

The footage was captured in June and the news released in August 2024 to give the babies chance to settle in.

NB. All proceeds from sales of this and release day footage will be used to fund attendance at BeaverCON, the world’s biggest beaver conference to inspire further positive change.


EalingWildlifeGroup