A FAMILY of beavers have been released into an enclosure in Wyre Forest as part of an effort to bring the species back to the nation's forests.

Forestry England teamed up with Natural England and experts at the Beaver Trust, to reintroduce the beavers to the forest.

Two adults and four kits were moved from Scotland into a five-hectare enclosure. The beavers are being enclosed to encourage them to create a home in the location selected for them.

According to Forestry England, beavers play an important role in wetland ecology, creating pools which provide habitats for other species of wildlife when they fell trees.

Their dams can also help to reduce flooding as these natural pools hold larger volumes of water and they are not watertight so slowly release water reducing the flow downstream.

Beavers were once widespread throughout the country, but were hunted to near-extinction by the 16th Century. Today, beavers are a protected species.

Kidderminster Shuttle: The beavers being released into the forestThe beavers being released into the forest (Image: Forestry England)

Sam Pegler, senior ecologist for Forestry England said: “This is an exciting moment for us in Wyre Forest.

"We look forward to seeing the benefits our new beaver family can bring to the natural environment, as we continue our work of recovering and restoring vital ecosystems.”

Tom Simpson, senior reserve manager for Natural England said: "We will be monitoring the beaver family closely to see how they settle into their new home.

"We look forward to seeing how they start to change the landscape, and the ways in which they will interact with the other special species that call Wyre Forest home.”

Dr Roisin Campbell-Palmer, head of restoration for the Beaver Trust said: “It's good to see Forestry England expanding their beaver sites, with over a decade of collective beaver site experience from the Yorkshire and the Forest of Dean enclosures, and we're delighted to release this close-knit beaver family here today".