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WILD BEAVERS have been granted permanent residency in their Devon river home, in a decision described as “groundbreaking” by conservationists. 

Fifteen families of beavers, which became extinct in Britain 400 years ago, have been living in the River Otter since 2013.

When the animals were threatened with removal by officials, Devon Wildlife Trust stepped in to protect them by launching a five-year trial to discover their impact on the river, landscape and local community. 

But the beavers’ future at the site has been secured after the government decided to give them a permanent right to stay. 

The trust’s report had found that beavers reduced the harm caused by flooding and created wetlands. 

Devon Wildlife Trust director of conservation Peter Burgess said: “This is the most groundbreaking government decision for England’s wildlife for a generation.

“Beavers are nature’s engineers and have the unrivalled ability to breathe new life into our rivers and wetlands. Their benefits will be felt throughout our countryside, by wildlife and people.”

However, the trust also stressed that the government must do more to facilitate the reintroduction of beavers to England.