Trail camera captures beavers on Exmoor

The National Trust introduced an initial pair of Eurasian beavers into a secure, fenced enclosure within the River Aller catchment on the Holnicote Estatein January 2020.

Six beavers (including a mother with kits and a separate pair) were released into the wild on the Holnicote Estate on February 11th 2026, allowing them to roam freely across the landscape for the first time.

New trail camera footage from the National Trust’s Holnicote Estate on Exmoor has revealed that two of the beavers that were released into the wild earlier this year appear to have formed a pair. The pair are part of the second wild release of beavers on February 11th 2026.

Footage shows the two animals grooming each other and spending time close together, providing an encouraging indication that they are settling into the landscape and establishing the social bonds that could form the basis of a future family group.

Several beavers were released across the Estate in February and March under licence from Natural England, with help from Beaver Trust. The release included beavers from distinct genetic groups, introduced with the aim of establishing a healthy and diverse wild population.
Seeing the two beavers together on the trail camera is really exciting. When the animals were released, it was hoped they would explore the landscape, establish territories and begin forming the relationships that are so important to a healthy beaver population.

The fact that they have paired up already is a good indication that they have found the right conditions such as enough suitable habitat, food and space to establish a territory together.

They are largely active at night, so trail cameras are vital to give a valuable window into what they are doing without disturbing them too much.
If the pair remains together they could eventually establish their own family group and help strengthen the beaver population across the estate.

Beavers usually live in small family groups centred around an adult pair who then typically mate for life.
Once established in a territory, their dams, canals and wetlands can create new habitats for other wildlife while helping water remain in the landscape for longer.

The February release formed part of the National Trust’s wider work to restore rivers, wetlands and floodplains across the 5,000-hectare Holnicote Estate. The beavers are being monitored to understand how they settle, move through the catchment and how they shape the surrounding habitat.

Picture: National Trust