This is the first time a wild beaver has been spotted in the area, known to live on the River Stour, some of the Little Stour, and at Ham Fen nature reserve between Sandwich and Deal. 

The rare sighting has sparked hopes that a beaver colony may have formed in the Ashford Country Park. A follow-up visit by Kent Wildlife Trust and the Environment Agency, confirmed there is evidence of wild beavers in the area. This has been labeled a ‘significant’ and ‘exciting’ find by experts.

Kent Wildlife Trust’s Amy Fitzmaurice said: ‘This is a hugely significant and exciting discovery and the first documented case of a wild beaver in the Ashford area. It is incredibly hard to see beavers in the wild as they tend to be nocturnal, but on this occasion a wildlife watcher was able to not only see the animal, but film it too.’

‘On receipt of the footage we set up a site visit and there is clear evidence of beavers in the area with chewed sticks and branches laying around, footprints in soft mud and bark peeled from tree stumps.’

‘Kent Wildlife Trust is a member of the East Kent Beaver Advisory Group (EKBAG) and this discovery will now form part of the Kent Beaver survey, commissioned by Natural England and delivered by us and the Beaver Trust.’

Beavers are a keystone species and manage habitats in a unique way. They build dams which act as a natural filter, cleaning the water of silts and pollutants. The dams also create localised flooding in areas that are appropriate, away from urban areas, which creates a buffer which holds water and slows the flow.

Amy continued: ‘We are now keen to try and find out more about beaver activity around Conningbrook Lakes and are asking people who see them to report sightings to the EKBAG at  [email protected] 

‘It is also really important that we do everything to ensure their welfare, beavers are a protected by law, it is illegal to kill them or damage their habitat. We would ask that people visiting the lakes are mindful that they act in a way that will protect wildlife, in particular we ask that people walking dogs follow the country park rules and continue to keep dogs on a lead.’

In addition to monitoring the beavers, the EKBAG works towards creating a harmonious coexistence between beavers and people, they run workshops and talks, a citizen science programme, work closely with landholders, are on hand to advise and help those who may want more information around beaver behaviour and mitigation and licensing.

Conningbrook Lakes Country Park is provided by Ashford Borough Council and is operated in partnership with Kent Wildlife Trust, Freedom Leisure and Mid Kent Fisheries.

Conningbrook Lakes Country Park is a project to gradually transform the former quarry site into a family orientated country park around the existing lakes. It currently offers a variety of leisure and water-based activities for residents and visitors; with newly installed picnic tables, a natural habitat for wildlife and access for walkers to explore the local environment.

People wanting to learn more about beavers in Kent can purchase a Ham Fen beaver safari tour, or the bringing back the beaver book from the Kent Wildlife Trust Shop. Beaver themed clothing is also available.