Baby Beaver born at Five Sisters Zoo thriving in Northumberland
A short film has been released by Beaver Trust and Five Sisters Zoo telling the behind-the-scenes story of a beaver kit’s birth at the Zoo and successful release at Wallington Estate.
Article Source: Five Sisters Zoo
Last Updated: 16 November 2023 10:01
This week a short film has been released by Beaver Trust and Five Sisters Zoo telling the behind-the-scenes story of a beaver kit’s birth at the Zoo and successful release at National Trust’s Wallington Estate, highlighting the work of those involved who went above and beyond to make it happen.
In July earlier this year a family of four Eurasian beavers were successfully released on the National Trust’s Wallington Estate in Northumberland as part of plans to boost wildlife and increase the landscape’s resilience to a changing climate.
It was reported that two adult beavers and two young had been successfully relocated from wild populations in the River Tay catchment in Scotland to their new home in a 24-hectare fenced enclosure on a tributary of the River Wansbeck. The adult female was, in fact, found to be pregnant when she was trapped in Scotland and taken into Beaver Trust’s holding facilities at Five Sisters Zoo.
What followed was a series of careful health checks, sensitive care, and detailed monitoring to ensure the female and her family were calm and comfortable to give the unborn beaver kit the best chance. The team worked to create a bespoke habitat at Five Sisters Zoo, where the beaver family would have plenty of space and enrichment while awaiting the birth of the kit.
Dr Roisin Campbell-Palmer, Head of Restoration at Beaver Trust, said: “The fact that we have a healthy young kit that has been born and raised by its family relatively normally and is now acting naturally in its new home is a testament to everyone involved at Beaver Trust and Five Sisters Zoo prioritising the family's welfare and working extremely hard to keep the whole process, from trapping and transport to monitoring, to the care in captivity, sufficiently low stress. I'm really proud to have been a part of it.”
Gary Curran, Head Carnivore Keeper at Five Sisters Zoo, said: “We were delighted to experience this first in our zoo’s history, and to be part of this incredible journey for these beavers. We have taken what was a more unusual, very hands-off approach than we usually would to ensure the female and her unborn kit had the best possible chance of survival and were delighted when the kit was safely born in our enclosure.”
Dr Romain Pizzi, Independent Specialist Wildlife Veterinarian, said: “We knew as soon as we discovered that the female was expecting this would be a different challenge than we initially expected but it couldn’t have gone better. Ensuring the health of the whole family, including the newborn kit was crucial and we look forward to seeing them thrive now in their new surroundings”
With the kit looking strong and healthy, the family were transported down to Northumberland where they were released on July 12th. Footage from the estate shows that the beavers are settling in well and already beginning to transform their surroundings as hoped.
Paul Hewitt, Countryside Manager at the National Trust, said: “We're incredibly grateful to the teams at the Beaver Trust and Five Sisters Zoo who took such great care of the whole beaver family while we waited for their release here at Wallington. The news that the kit was born safe and well was wonderful and made the anticipation of release day even more special. They've been here for 4 months now and are all happy and healthy, having settled in brilliantly. They're already making changes to the landscape and we're really looking forward to seeing what they do over the coming months and years.”
The Wallington Estate was the location for the conservation charity’s third beaver release, following successful introductions on Exmoor in 2020 and the South Downs in 2021. The release was the first to take place in Northumberland, with the animals becoming one of the very few beaver populations in northern England.
The beavers form part of a bigger project called Wilder Wallington that is designed to improve prospects for nature across the 5,300-hectare estate and beyond. Other plans include encouraging the migration of pine martens, restoring hedgerows and areas of peatland, planting trees, tackling invasive non-native species, supporting farmers to incorporate nature into their business plans and alleviating flooding. The reintroduction of beavers at Wallington was generously funded by the Reece Foundation
The film can be viewed online on Beaver Trust’s Youtube Channel and at The Wallington Estate’s visitor centre and cafe.
Sponsored Links
Latest Edinburgh News
The Edinburgh Gin Distillery At The Arches
World-renowned distillers, Edinburgh Gin, has opened the doors to its brand new distillery at The Arches.
READ MORE
Acclaimed Chinese art exhibit brings vibrant Chinese New Year celebrations to textile heartland of Scotland
A highly acclaimed textile exhibit celebrating part of China’s intangible cultural heritage will make its UK debut when it goes on display at the Great Tapestry of Scotland!
READ MORE
Back by popular demand: Murder on the Midnight Express returns to Somewhere By Nico
Back by popular demand, Murder on the Midnight Express is making its highly anticipated return to Somewhere by Nico in Edinburgh and Glasgow for a limited time only.
READ MORE
Fort Kinnaird confirms festive opening hours
Fort Kinnaird has confirmed its festive opening times for last minute shopping and anyone planning a day out with family and friends over the Christmas period.
READ MORE
Australian superstar Jason Donovan makes a much anticipated return to one of his most famous roles
Jason Donovan makes a much anticipated return to one of his most famous roles: playing Frank-N-Furter in Richard O'Brien's anarchic musical, The Rocky Horror Show at Edinburgh Playhouse.
READ MORE
Vault City toasts first ever supermarket listings for stout with major UK name
Jingle Brew: Edinburgh-based independent beer firm Vault City now has its Gingerbread Latte Imperial Stout stocked by Tesco in time for festive season.
READ MORE
Room to Recharge: Kimpton Hotels in Scotland launch new wellness program, Stay Well
Kimpton Hotels in Edinburgh and Glasgow have launched 'Stay Well', a new wellness-first initiative designed to help guests 'feel good, travel better, and stay well' while travelling.
READ MORE
Two Weeks Til Edinburghs Hogmanay First Footin
The countdown to the New Year has begun as Edinburgh’s Hogmanay prepares for four days of events to ring in 2025, running from December 29th to January 1st.
READ MORE
Wicked fans in Scotland invited to special Sing Along screenings at Vue this Boxing Day
After becoming one of the most popular big screen releases of 2024, Vue is excited to announce that an extra special sing-along version of Wicked is heading to the big screen this Boxing Day.
READ MORE
Funding win marks anniversary of Mackintosh acquisition
A generous package of funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund has been pledged to the National Trust for Scotland to celebrate the genius of Charles Rennie Mackintosh and Margaret Macdonald.
READ MORE
Win a year of free flights as Loganair invites Edinburgh residents to share the joy of reuniting
Loganair, the UK’s largest regional airline, is spreading the joy of Christmas as it gifts free flights for an entire year for reconnecting with loved ones.
READ MORE
Caledonian Sleeper announces winners of photography competition celebrating UK beauty spots
Caledonian Sleeper has announced the winners of its photography competition aimed at celebrating the country's most scenic locations on the overnight train's iconic route.
READ MORE
Johnston Carmichael clothing collection is the right fit for social mobility charities
Johnston Carmichael has collected over one hundred of items of new and lightly worn pre-loved clothing for charities that help unemployed men and women back into work.
READ MORE
Newtongrange Guerrilla Gardeners steam home to victory at the ScotRail awards
Newtongrange train station has undergone a transformation this year, thanks to Newtongrange Guerrilla Gardeners, who scooped the Community Project of the Year title.
READ MORE
Scotch liqueur brand takes Christmas to new heights on Edinburgh rooftop bar
Scotch malt whisky cream liqueur brand Magnum, has launched a new winter wonderland experience on the rooftop bar of the iconic Cold Town House in Edinburgh’s Grassmarket.
READ MORE
Garden Centre invites budding indoor gardeners to its stores
Dobbies Garden Centres is kicking off the new year on a green note, offering two free workshops at its Scottish stores this January.
READ MORE
Ticketmaster announces Breakthrough 2025 list
Ticketmaster has unveiled its much-anticipated Breakthrough 2025 list, highlighting the brightest up-and-coming stars set to shape the live music scene in 2025.
READ MORE
Edinburgh Zoo plea for locals to refrain from letting off fireworks at Hogmanay
Residents near the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland’s (RZSS) Edinburgh Zoo are being asked not to set off fireworks this Hogmanay, following the death of a baby red panda last month.
READ MORE
Blooming Fabulous! The Scottish Garden Festival arrives in 2025!
This family-friendly festival takes place in the spacious and scenic Hamilton Park Racecourse, offering a perfect setting for all ages to enjoy.
READ MORE
Success for first ever Soundhouse Winter Festival
Music fans packed out the Traverse Theatre in Edinburgh for Soundhouse’s first ever Winter Festival.
READ MORE
Christmas Day Dining at Duck & Waffle
Celebrate Christmas Day with friends and family at Duck & Waffle Edinburgh, where the magic of Narnia comes to life!
READ MORE
Biffy Clyro, Young Fathers & Callum Beattie among winners at inaugural Scottish Live Music Awards
The Scottish Live Music Awards (SLMA) celebrated the best of Scotland's vibrant live music scene on Thursday night during a prestigious ceremony at Glasgow's Classic Grand Ballroom.
READ MORE
Dogstar Theatre brings Gideon Mack from page to stage
James Robertson's 2006 best-selling novel will be brought to life in early 2025 with a stage adaptation of The Testament of Gideon Mack from Dogstar Theatre Company.
READ MORE
Experience a World of Winter Wonder at Dynamic Earth this December
Dynamic Earth invites families to step into a world of winter wonder, and to experience the magic of the holidays like never before.
READ MORE
Iconic soft drink is hitting the road with the festive truck the nation has been waiting for
The battle of festive cola trucks has already kicked off between Lidl and Coke - but now the country's most iconic soft drink, IRN-BRU, has joined in!
READ MORE
Capital Theatres launches new partnership with The Secret Garden Distillery
Capital Theatres is delighted to celebrate the launch of a new bar partnership with The Secret Garden Distillery, a family-owned luxury distillery based in Edinburgh.
READ MORE
Ring in the New Year at Flight Club Edinburgh with the Ultimate Hogmanay Brunch
Flight Club Edinburgh is celebrating Hogmanay in style with a bottomless brunch to end all bottomless brunches and a gorgeous limited-edition cocktail menu.
READ MORE
itison founder calls for action to help children who will have nothing this winter
Founder of Scottish business, itison, Oli Norman, has spoken out about the 'devastating' level of poverty in Scotland this festive season.
READ MORE
Rediscovered Artemisia Gentileschi painting goes on display in Scotland for the first time
A rare surviving painting by Artemisia Gentileschi, the greatest female artist of her generation, is on display for visitors to the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh.
READ MORE
Edinburgh Cafe Partners with local Dog and Cat Home for Launch of New Club to Support Pets in Need
Sip & Bark, the beloved dog-friendly café in Edinburgh, has announced a new partnership with Edinburgh Dog & Cat Home through the launch of an exclusive membership club.
READ MORESponsored Links
Sponsored Links