The Lost Gardens of Heligan has rehomed a pair of beavers in a purpose-built enclosure.

The pair have been released into a 22-acre site which includes ancient woodland, pasture and small streams. 

It is hoped that the animals, previously cared for by the Cornish Seal Sanctuary and the Coombeshead estate in Devon, will increase biodiversity in the area, and their progress will be shared with visitors and local schools.

“We’re very excited beavers are back at Heligan,” said wildlife co-ordinator Toby Davies. 

“Having beavers on site will allow us to tell their story to our visitors, from their extinction from Britain 400 years ago to their vital role today building biodiversity as well as dams wherever they go.

“Though you’re more likely to see their trails than their tails, because they’re quite secretive animals, so you’ll be lucky if you spot one.”

The beavers have moved to Heligan from the seal sanctuary at Gweek, near Helston.

Seal sanctuary curator Tamara Cooper said: “This move demonstrates the full-circle success of the Secret Creek beaver project here at the sanctuary, which began as a collaboration between a number of organisations. To see this next phase of the project is incredibly exciting, and we can’t wait to see how the beavers settle into their new home at Heligan, as we get ready to welcome our own new residents.”

The release marks the result of a partnership between 3 Bays Wildlife and the Beaver Trust.

Head of restoration at the Beaver Trust Dr Roisin Campbell-Palmer said: “This is a moment to celebrate: finding a local site with a suitable habitat to receive this pair of beavers to continue their own journeys. 

“We’re delighted to work in partnership with Heligan to bring learning and beaver knowledge to their visitor audience and to so many local young people. 

“Education is an important part of the reintroduction of this species as we learn to coexist with them again.”

Toby Davies said: “The Heligan beaver project would not have been possible without the advice and funding of the Cornwall Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Farming in Protected Landscapes Fund which provided 70 per cent financial support for the enclosure fencing. 

“One of the project’s main aims is to better understand the relationship between re-introduced beavers, grazing animals and farming.”

The Lost Gardens of Heligan will monitor if the animals’ impact flood mitigation by building dams across the streams at Heligan, which could slow down any flash-flooding affecting communities downstream, such as Mevagissey.