Cors Dyfi Beaver Enclosure

Why Beavers? 

Beavers were once widespread across the Wales, but due to over hunting by humans for their fur, meat and scent glands they became extinct after the Middle Ages in Wales and by the end of the 16^th Century they were extinct from the rest of Britain.

Beavers are very special animals because they play a vital role in enriching biodiversity by restoring and managing river and wetland ecosystems. They are known as a ‘keystone species’ because their activities can benefit a wide range of other animals and plants that live in rivers and wetlands.

Our Beavers

The seven acre beaver enclosure at Cors Dyfi is home to a small family of beavers. The beavers play an important role in helping us to manage the dense willow and birch scrub that is drying out the wetland. They help us to ensure the continued recovery of this damaged low land raised bog habitat.

Our beavers came from Scotland with the help of beaver expert Dr Roisin Campbell-Palmer, Restoration Manager for the Beaver Trust and they had full medical checks and health screening at a purpose-built facility at Five Sisters Zoo, West Calder before they were moved to Cors Dyfi.

The Beaver Enclosure

The enclosure has a perimeter of around 700m and is built to the latest best practice specifications. The area contains three interlinked pools, a network of ditches and a mass of birch and willow scrub. There is plenty of food for the beaver family and lots of space for them to explore. The enclosure fencing will be monitored regularly in accordance with our license from Natural Resources Wales. 

Beaver Viewing

Beavers are crepuscular, most active around dawn and dusk, so will generally not be seen during the day time. Animal welfare is our top priority so any viewing opportunities will carefully managed to minimise disturbance. We will of course bring you regular updates and images from our static cameras. 

For viewing opportunities please visit our 'What's on' page:

Want to know more?

We are working in partnership with the Welsh Beaver Project. You can find out just what amazing creatures beavers are in their handy Beaver Booklet... it has lots of facts about beavers, case studies and information about how we can learn to live with them again!