Baby beaver makes history as the first born in Norfolk in 600 years
The little kit has been spotted paddling in North West Norfolk.
Last updated 30th Jul 2021
A baby beaver has made history as the first to be born in Norfolk in more than 600 years.
Two pairs of beavers were successfully reintroduced at Wild Ken Hill, near Heacham on the north Norfolk coast, last year.
A baby beaver, known as a kit, has since been captured on camera paddling through water at night.
While only one kit has been spotted, beavers on average produce three offspring so there may be more.
More cameras have been deployed inside the 55-acre beaver enclosure at the nature restoration project to establish how many kits have been born.
Dominic Buscall, project manager at Wild Ken Hill, said: “This is another exciting step on the journey to restore beavers to East Anglia.
“Beavers bring huge benefits to our natural environment.
“With the right balance of protection and management, we could harness them across England to assist nature recovery and prevent flooding – the project here at Wild Ken Hill is seeking to demonstrate that.”
Eurasian beavers were once native to Norfolk and are known as ecosystem engineers due to their presence having such a positive impact on the local environment and biodiversity.
Once common in these lands, European beavers were hunted to extinction for their fur, glands and meat in the 16th century.
The nearby villages of Babingley and Flitcham in Norfolk have beavers on their village signs at is was said that, during a historic storm out in the Wash, beavers guided Saint Felix to safety in west Norfolk.
Lloyd Park, conservation leader and ecologist at Wild Ken Hill, said: “This beaver kit represents an historic moment towards the conservation and restoration of the species within lowland England.
“Beavers are a vital link in restoring and regenerating our natural places, and in their short time here at Wild Ken Hill they have already made a significant impact on the landscape within their enclosure.
“Through their natural processes we have seen increased water levels and changes to the woodland structure that provide opportunities for a host of other wildlife.”
Camera footage shows a kit swimming in the territory of a pair of beavers named Orange and Flow, who first met in autumn last year and spent the winter and spring bonding and building dams.
In May this year, a lodge was also discovered in the beaver enclosure.
Beavers build lodges as protection from predators and will raise their kits inside them in the first few months.
A post on Wild Ken Hill’s website said: “Incredibly exciting news – trail cameras inside the beaver enclosure at Wild Ken Hill have spotted a beaver kit – the first in Norfolk for over 600 years.”
Further camera traps have not spotted any more kits, but the beaver enclosure is large and it is possible that more will be discovered in coming months.
Here are some of our cutest animal stories:
Ferret makes 'miraculous' recovery after going through the wash
Bandit the ferret made a 'miraculous' recovery after going through the wash in January.
Bud the parrot was put on a diet due to a crisp addiction
Bud the parrot was left unable to fly after eating too many crisps. She was put on a diet to help her lose some weight.
A very rare seal pup was rescued from the Yorkshire coast
Egg is a grey seal pup with melanism meaning her coat is almost black. Only 1 in 400 seals are born with the condition.
Neglected dogs become pampered pooches
Thirty abandoned dogs who were found in desperate need of some TLC underwent amazing transformations in RSPCA care.
Our pets might receive the Covid-19 vaccine one day
Scientists have said that our pets may receive the Covid-19 vaccine in the future to help prevent transmission in humans. However, experts assure this is simply precautionary planning for the future and there is no current examples of transmission from pets to owners.
A baby giraffe was named after Margaret Keenan, the first person to receive a Covid-19 vaccine
A baby giraffe born at Whipsnade zoo in Bedfordshire was named Margaret after the first person to receive a Covid-19 vaccine outside of a clinical trial.
Blind guinea pig Ami is guided by her sister Yuki
Being a blind guinea pig doesn't hinder Ami, who is guided by her loyal sister Yuki. According to an RSPCA representative, Yuki "looks out for" her sister every day.
A goat at a bus stop was among the RSPCA's strangest rescues last year
A goat at a bus stop was on the list of the RSPCA's strangest rescues of 2020, which included a seal on the treadmill and a puppy in a lounger chair.
First baby beaver for 600 years
A baby beaver has made history as the first to be born in Norfolk in more than 600 years. Two pairs of beavers were reintroduced near Heacham on the north Norfolk coast, last year. A baby beaver, known as a kit, has since been captured on camera paddling through water at night.
"Angry" chicken ruffles feathers by holding up traffic
An "angry" chicken ruffled feathers by holding up traffic in Littlehampton. Police said the "defensive" bird wasn't allowing anyone near it in Cornwall Road.
Cat missing for more than a decade reunited with owner
Fergus went missing from his Forres owner in late 2010 and 11 years later he was found by Cats Protection volunteers at a recycling centre in Aberdeen. It was only when his microchip was scanned they realised how far away from home he was.
Longleat welcomes first southern koala baby
The first-ever southern koala to have been born in Europe was welcomed by safari park Longleat in Wiltshire, with keepers and staff saying they're 'delighted'.
Missing cat invades football pitch and is reunited with owner
Topsey the cat invaded the pitch during a match between Sheffield Wednesday and Wigan Athletic at Hillsborough Stadium. After the game was stopped so Topsey could have her belly tickled and be escorted off the pitch, she was reunited with owner after being missing for 8 months.
Hear the latest news on Downtown on FM, DAB, smart speaker or the Rayo app.