In the stillness of night, a crate door creaks open, and a pair of glistening eyes surveys the wild expanse ahead. Moments later, a beaver shuffles into its new home—unlicensed, unannounced, and entirely illegal.
This is the covert world of Britain’s underground rewilders—activists risking arrest, prosecution, and heavy fines to release beavers into the English countryside, driven by what they call a moral obligation to repair the damage of centuries past.
“It is just essentially God’s work,” says Ben, a member of the secretive network who spoke to the BBC on condition of anonymity. “We’re undoing the damage of hundreds of years ago and bringing back these extraordinary animals.”
Ben and his fellow activists operate like eco-resistance fighters—moving under the cover of darkness, often unaware of where the animals come from or where they will be next. Their secrecy is not without reason. Releasing beavers into the wild without a license is a criminal offense under UK law.
“You don’t want to be caught with a box of beavers in the boot,” Ben explains. “You open the door, do it and drive away. They are instantly much happier in the water.”
Legal Boundaries and Moral Convictions
The Eurasian beaver, once hunted to extinction in Britain some 400 years ago, has staged a slow and controversial comeback. Renowned for their ability to engineer ecosystems by building dams, digging canals, and creating wetlands, beavers are hailed by conservationists as biodiversity heroes. Yet their return has not been universally welcomed.
A licensing scheme, managed by Natural England and introduced in February 2025, allows for the legal release and management of beavers, but only after a lengthy and rigorous application process. This has led some rewilders to take matters into their own hands.
“The legal route is just too bureaucratic,” says Marie, another activist involved in illegal releases. “Being part of a beaver release is one of the most amazing things I’ve ever witnessed.”
But critics, including the National Farmers’ Union (NFU), argue that unauthorized releases pose serious risks.
Farming Sector Pushback
“It’s irresponsible and really worrying,” says Poppy Sherborne, countryside advisor at the NFU. “There’s been no process put in place to check that the release should be happening.”
Sherborne warns of the unintended consequences beavers may bring: flooding, felled trees, and damaged crops. “There’s no support for farmers who could be impacted if it’s not done the right way,” she says.
Sherborne insists the proper legal channels must be followed, to ensure that wildlife reintroduction doesn’t cause new ecological or economic imbalances.
Official Caution Amid Public Support
The legal recognition of beavers as a protected species in England came in 2022, making it illegal to disturb, injure, or kill them. Despite that, the majority of England’s estimated 600 to 1,000 wild beavers—depending on the source—are believed to originate from unlicensed releases or escapes.
The River Otter Beaver Trial in Devon, initiated after a wild population was discovered in 2013, marked a turning point in public and governmental attitudes. Following widespread support, 15 families were granted legal status. Their descendants now thrive across the South West.
Cornwall Wildlife Trust, which has followed proper licensing protocol for a planned release near Helman Tor, found itself unexpectedly upstaged. “During the two-year preparation of our application, a pair of beavers turned up on site—almost certainly an unlicensed release,” says Lauren Jasper, the Trust’s beaver officer.
Still, Jasper admits the impact has been remarkable: “They’ve created a couple of dams, slowed water flow, and formed a wetland now brimming with wildlife.”
Despite the success, the Trust does not endorse illegal action. “It’s essential we help people learn to coexist with beavers again—but through the proper channels,” she says.
Law Enforcement’s Dilemma
While the illegal release of animals is a criminal offense under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, there have been no successful prosecutions relating specifically to beavers.
“It’s not that we condone it—it’s that we don’t have the evidence,” says Det Insp Mark Harrison from the National Wildlife Crime Unit. “Beavers can be on site for years before anyone notices. These are clandestine operations.”
He acknowledges the conservation value of beavers but stresses that animal welfare must be taken seriously.
“You could be reintroducing parasites or diseases. You also have to think about the animal’s safety,” he warns. “It has to be done properly.”
A Broader Movement
Beavers are not alone in this tug-of-war between legal frameworks and ecological urgency. Rewilding projects—both sanctioned and subversive—have also brought lynx, sea eagles, wild boar, and even butterflies back into British habitats.
Devon-based conservationist Derek Gow, a prominent figure in legal rewilding, sympathizes with the frustration felt by underground activists. “We are governed by complex, medieval rules,” he says. “You’re expected to fund projects for 10 years and jump through countless hoops.”
Gow has released beavers, dormice, and water voles legally on his land, but acknowledges the impact of unsanctioned efforts. “I wouldn’t imagine many people are doing it, but the effect has been profound.”
He likens the government’s approach to “shutting the stable door long after the horse has bolted.”
A Crisis of Biodiversity
At the heart of the issue lies a stark truth: the UK is among the most nature-depleted countries in the world. Conservationists argue that bold, swift action is required to reverse the ecological collapse, and for many, beavers are part of the solution.
“Beavers reduce flood risk, improve water quality, and enhance biodiversity,” says Ben. “What’s not to like?”
He acknowledges that the new licensing scheme is a step forward—but not enough. “We are in a national emergency of climate and biodiversity loss,” he says. “This can’t be yet another bureaucratic exercise.”
Ben and others like him believe that the future of Britain’s ecosystems cannot wait for government paperwork. They’re acting now, in the wild, under the stars—and under the law’s radar.
Moving Forward
Natural England has received around 50 expressions of interest for legal beaver releases. Officials stress that licensing is vital to balance conservation goals with social, agricultural, and infrastructural needs.
A spokesperson for the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) said unlicensed releases risk undermining legitimate efforts and could jeopardize broader public trust in rewilding initiatives.
“The detailed licensing process ensures reintroductions happen at a measured pace and in appropriate areas,” the department stated.
But for those risking it all in the name of ecological revival, time is of the essence.
“We’re not the enemy,” says Marie. “We’re trying to fix what was broken long ago. And sometimes, to do that, you need to be brave enough to break a few rules.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members
