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
Scottish artist Bruce McLean gets a crowning display for his 80th birthday at Modern One in Edinburgh
A celebratory display to mark Bruce McLean’s 80th birthday opens on Saturday 29th June at Modern One in Edinburgh.
READ MORE
The 2024 Edinburgh Canal Festival was an uplifting celebration of Union Canal and Canalside Community
Fountainbridge Canalside Community Trust organised The Edinburgh Canal Festival, a free community celebration event, on Sat 15th June for the third year running.
READ MORE
Summer Savings at Brewhemia
Summer is here and so are the savings at Brewhemia! We’re excited to bring you the hottest deals of the season!
READ MORE
TV star Rylan Clark to headline Ladies Day
TV AND RADIO personality Rylan Clark has been announced as the star entertainment for the crowds at one of Scotland’s most glamourous summer events, Musselburgh Racecourse’s Ladies Day!
READ MORE
Much anticipated Roxburghe Rocks music festival returns to Floors Castle
Borders' jewel announces sensational line-up of world-class bands for summer music spectacular.
READ MORE
Novel set in eighteenth century Edinburgh launches this week
A Novel set in eighteenth-century Edinburgh launches this week at St Cecilia’s Hall, with music by previously unknown female composers performed for the first time.
READ MORE
Nordic Music Days to take over Glasgow this autumn
One of the world's oldest celebrations of contemporary classical music and sound, Nordic Music Days takes place in Scotland for the first time in its 136-year history!
READ MORE
Grandparents Eat Free at Morningside restaurant
One of Edinburgh’s most popular neighbourhood restaurants has launched a new ‘Grandparents Eat Free’ initiative to help kick-start the school holidays.
READ MORE
Famous bakery returns to Bonnie & Wild Food Hall
Insta-famous bakery Chulo’s returns to Bonnie & Wild as Edinburgh Food Hall champions Scotland’s food and drink producer.
READ MORE
Virgin Hotels Edinburgh names new Artist in Residence
Virgin Hotels Edinburgh has named local creative, Wendy Helliwell, as its new Artist in Residence, taking up the position from August until October.
READ MORE
Soak up the summer at Duck & Waffle Minuty Terrace
Duck & Waffle Edinburgh welcomes summer with a Minuty terrace partnership, bringing the spirit of Saint Tropez to the Scottish capital.
READ MORE
FoxFest returns this Summer at Conifox Adventure Park
Edinburgh’s Conifox Adventure Park has announced the return of its hotly-anticipated annual summer festival, FoxFest, for 2024.
READ MORE
Bat Out Of Hell
Award-winning Bat Out Of Hell – The Musical, featuring Jim Steinman and Meat Loaf’s greatest hits, will return to tour the UK in 2025, with performances beginning at Edinburgh Playhouse!
READ MORE
Wellerman singer reveals pinch me moment as song is included in The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo
Scottish musician Nathan Evans has revealed his pride after discovering his hit ‘Wellerman’ will be part of The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo this summer.
READ MORE
FREE family festival at Loch Lomond Shores returns in July
Summerfest, the FREE family festival at Loch Lomond Shores, is back on the 6th and 7th of July with lots of things to see and do!
READ MORE
The sky is the limit with the latest rooftop cocktail bar in Edinburgh
Following on from the success of their pop-up bar two years’ ago, Skyline Sips is returning to level 5, St James Quarter, Edinburgh on Tuesday 25th June 2024.
READ MORE
Legendary NFL franchise the Chicago Bears returned to Edinburgh
Chicago Bears have returned to Edinburgh as part of the NFL team’s 2024 Mini Monsters UK tour brought to you by Nike.
READ MORE
Vue to put family fun in focus this summer with new big screen child friendly content offerings
Vue has announced the latest set of family-friendly blockbusters arriving this summer, as well as a number of new ways for families and kids of all ages to enjoy time together at the big screen!
READ MORE
Take care of your summer garden with Dobbies
Garden Centre offers free summer plant care workshops across its stores.
READ MORE
Miller Homes launches new development in Edinburgh this Saturday
Miller Homes is launching a brand-new development in Edinburgh this Saturday (22 June), bringing 152 homes, including 39 affordable, to a popular residential area just south of the capital.
READ MORE
Asda Scotland relaunches Happy to Chat initiative
Asda Scotland delivery drivers wear ‘Happy to Chat about the game’ badges to help tackle loneliness during summer of sport
READ MORE
Garden Centre invites families to enjoy a Teddy Bears Picnic
Dobbies is inviting families to roll out the picnic blanket and gather around this summer as it unveils its brand-new event, Teddy Bears' Picnic.
READ MORE
First Look: Somewhere by Nico Edinburgh opens in Edinburgh
Somewhere by Nico Edinburgh, a new cocktail bar concept, has opened in Edinburgh's West End.
READ MORE
Healing Arts Scotland 2024 Launch
The Healing Arts Scotland Opening Celebration event takes place outside the Scottish Parliament at 4pm on Monday 19th August as part of Edinburgh International Festival.
READ MORE
Voices to soar in unity for uplifting Refugee Festival Scotland performance
Voices from around the world who have made Scotland their home will be raised in celebration and unity at a special concert as part of Refugee Festival Scotland later this week.
READ MORE
Nitten neighbours celebrate centenary with a good old fashioned street party
Residents of Newtongrange’s Lothian Terrace proved community spirit is still alive and well as they marked 100 years since their homes were built with a good old-fashioned street party.
READ MORE
Family tours of the Physic Garden available for the first time this summer
Over the summer holidays, as the Palace of Holyroodhouse opens for seven days a week, visitors can discover over 900 years of Scottish royal history.
READ MORE
Celebrate 20 Years of Fun at Funstation!
Funstation is proud to announce a monumental milestone as we mark our 20 Years Of Fun.
READ MORE
Edinburgh International Festival and The Macallan Launch Festival Season in Edinburgh
The Edinburgh International Festival and The Macallan announces full details of Opening Event: Where to Begin, a large-scale, visually spectacular outdoor event opening the 2024 Festival.
READ MORE
Scottish Ensemble announce their new season
Scottish Ensemble, a pioneering collective of musicians who champion music for strings, announces its 2024-25 season of events.
READ MORESponsored Links
Sponsored Links