Beaver trapping & translocation

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Beaver trapping & translocation

Moving beavers from areas of conflict to places where they can provide real environmental benefit

The removal of a beaver or beaver family by trapping, and translocating it to a more suitable area should only be undertaken after attempts at mitigating any conflict have been trialled but before lethal control is employed.

Trapping and translocation of an animal should only be carried out by a professional and under licence and direction from the regional regulatory authority to ensure best practice is followed and animal welfare is prioritised.

Trapping equipment

We use specially designed Bavarian beaver traps. These are live traps which are used across Europe. Once inside the beaver is kept safe and secure until our team can collect it.

Animal welfare is always our priority so we check traps daily but we are in the process of implementing a camera trap system which will allow us to check traps remotely in real time.

Holding and Health Screening

All beavers trapped for translocation are held at purpose built facilities at Five Sisters Zoo which align with published best practice guidelines.

All beavers undergo health checks and disease screening as part of the translocation process and our team have developed and follow robust peer-reviewed protocols in line with IUCN guidelines, Scottish Code for Conservation Translocations, and ensure mitigation is consistent with the international consensus on ethical principles of wildlife control, as promoted by the British Veterinary Association, British Veterinary Zoological Society, and the Wild Animal Welfare Council to make sure the animals are healthy and free from disease.

Find out more about the samples and health checks team members from Beaver Trust, Five Sisters Zoo and a specialist wildlife vet carry out on a beaver during a health screening.

Better the beaver you know

Trapping and translocating a beaver or a beaver family from an area is an immediate solution to a potentially longer-term problem.

By removing a beaver from an area we are ultimately creating a vacant territory that another beaver will move into. This new beaver could even exacerbate existing conflict by creating a new burrow or lodge or by foraging in new areas.

Ultimately if you can use well-established management techniques to mitigate conflicts it can facilitate long-term coexistence between people and beavers.

Licensing in Each Country:

England

As of 1st October 2022 beavers are recognised as a European Protected Species in England.

Trapping and translocating a beaver does require a licence under the current management framework.

If you own or manage land that is affected by beaver burrowing contact Natural England by email on enquiries@naturalengland.org.uk or by phone on 03000 060 3900

Scotland

As of 1st May 2019 beavers are recognised as a European Protected Species in Scotland.

Trapping and translocating a beaver does require a licence under the current management framework.

If you own or manage land that is affected by beaver burrowing contact NatureScot by email on beavers@nature.scot or by phone on 01463 725 000

Wales

Beavers are not currently a protected species in Wales.

If you own or manage land that is affected by beaver burrowing contact the Welsh Beaver Project for support on beaver.afanc@northwaleswildlifetrust.org.uk

Our team is here to help

Dr Roisin Campbell-Palmer

Head of Restoration

Dr Robert Needham

Restoration Manager

Sheelagh McAllister

Field Officer

Alana Skilbeck

Restoration Project Officer

Our restoration team have worked on beaver reintroduction projects across Britain and Europe and are highly experienced in beaver management and conflict resolution. Email them at restoration@beavertrust.org to find out how they can support your project.