GENEROUS donators have raised more than £30,000 to prepare a site near Northwich for the return of beavers to Cheshire after 400 years.

Cheshire Wildlife Trust now has the funds needed to for a beaver-proof fence to protect two beavers that will be released into a 4.5-hectare enclosure in Hatchmere, where they will create a new landscape as they adapt to their surroundings.

However, the trust still needs an extra £11,000 to bring the beavers to their new home safely from Scotland, and a further £17,000 to look after them and monitor their impact on wildlife for their first year.

A spokesman for Cheshire Wildlife Trust said: “England is one of the world’s most nature-depleted countries and beavers offer a chance to reverse the dramatic decline in our wildlife by allowing nature to restore itself.”

Beavers are native to Cheshire but were wiped out in England in the 16th century after being hunted for their fur, meat and castoreum – a secretion used in perfumes, food, and medicine.

Northwich Guardian:

Their planned return to Cheshire follows a decision from Government last month to allow a wild population of beavers to remain in the River Otter, in Devon, following a trial.

The beavers’ presence in the Otter led to a improvement in ecology of the area – with increased fish biomass and improved water quality, meaning more vegetation for beavers to eat and cleaner water for kingfishers to flourish.

Their dams also worked as natural flood-defences, helping to reduce the risk of homes flooding downstream.

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Anyone who donates to the appeal by Wednesday, September 30, will be made aware of the beavers’ release date – while anyone who gifts £50 or will be able to watch it live online.

For more information and to donate visit cheshirewildlifetrust.org.uk/donate/beaver-appeal