Rangers on the Hunt for Escaped Beavers in Dorset
Across the sprawling green estate of a grand country manor, a team of rangers and volunteers is on the lookout for two elusive beavers that have once again managed a daring escape.
Woody and Twiggy, a Eurasian beaver pair, are believed to have slipped out of their enclosure at Mapperton Estate after severe weather compromised the fencing. Originally introduced from Scotland under a Natural England license in 2022, the pair has not been spotted since January 2024.
Despite their absence, signs of their activity have surfaced along the Mangerton River, which runs through the estate’s grounds.
Luke Montagu, Viscount Hinchingbrooke, who resides at Mapperton House with his family, suspects the beavers left in search of a better habitat.
“They naturally roam vast areas, seeking ideal spots to build their lodges and dams,” he explained. “It seems they decided to explore new territory—perhaps to find more food or even encounter other beavers.”
The Viscount believes they may have followed the Mangerton River downstream or ventured across the River Brit.
“I hope we manage to track them down,” he said. “But if they’ve settled elsewhere, we’ll look to reintroduce new beavers to our enclosure. They play a vital role in our rewilding efforts—far better at landscape management than we are. As natural ecosystem engineers, they create wetlands that benefit biodiversity.”
A Search Led by Clues
Ben Padwick, the lead ranger at Mapperton, is heading the search with a team of volunteers. They are scouring the area for telltale signs of beaver activity.
“We’re looking for feeding sites—small piles of stripped sticks, bark removal, and other distinctive markers,” Padwick noted. “We have older evidence, but nothing fresh, which isn’t a great sign.”
This isn’t Woody and Twiggy’s first breakout. Just over two years ago, they managed a similar escape following storm damage. A determined group of volunteers eventually recaptured them after 10 days, using a trail of apples and parsnips to lure them back into a trap.
“They made their getaway together—it was like a real Bonnie and Clyde act,” the Viscount joked. “They took a little holiday before we managed to bring them back.”
Beavers Set to Return to the Isle of Wight
Meanwhile, efforts are underway to reintroduce wild beavers to the Isle of Wight for the first time in over 400 years. Ecologists have identified the Eastern Yar River as an ideal habitat for their return.
The Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust already manages around 300 acres along the Eastern Yar floodplain, including interconnected reserves from Newchurch Moors to Morton Marsh. Their goal is to restore the beaver population to help shape and sustain the region’s wetland ecosystems.
With conservationists across the UK championing the reintroduction of beavers, it seems these natural engineers are making a well-deserved comeback—whether by careful planning or by staging their own great escapes.