Sadiq Khan plans to bring otters, eels and beavers back to London's rivers

Sadiq Khan plans to bring otters, eels and beavers back to London's rivers

The Mayor hopes to encourage a 'nature revival' in the capital

Raising the Dam: Beavers Return to the UK and Transform Ecosystems

A Eurasian beaver (Niklas Hamann via Unsplash) After years of environmental and animal rights campaigns and a promising 5-year trial release held primarily in Devon, the government has decided to allow the reintroduction of beavers nationwide, after 400 years of their absence. Eurasian beavers originally disappeared from the UK in the 16th century due to violent hunting for fur, meat, and scent glands – but also external factors, such as increas…

Thames21's response to Mayor London's plan to revitalise London's rivers

John Bryden, Head of Improving Rivers at Thames21 said: “We’re delighted to see today’s announcement by the Mayor of London of investment to revitalise the health of London’s rivers. “Bringing together funding from all sectors to deliver partnership solutions at scale is critical to restoring the health of London’s rivers for people and wildlife. “It is fantastic to see the Mayor of London has committed £7.15 million to addressing road run-off p…

A study has begun for the reintroduction of Eurasian beavers into the wild

Following an announcement by the Environment Secretary that the release of beavers into English waterways is to be permitted, A ‘beaver feasibility’ study has begun in Sheffield to consider their reintroduction for the first time in centuries. Sheffield council was recently awarded £96,000 to review the potential benefits that beavers could have on local landscapes. Councillor Kurtis Crossland, Chair of the Communities, Parks and Leisure Committ…