Why beavers could soon be introduced to this south London park

"One of Croydon's largest parks could soon welcome some unusual new residents, as plans to introduce a colony of beavers are unveiled. The animals would be brought to South Norwood Country Park as part of a rewilding project designed to enhance the park's wildlife and attract more visitors to the Croydon nature reserve. Croydon's plans for the park would also see its visitors centre bought back to life as an education hub, after six years of closure."

"The beaver proposals, backed by Croydon Council, are being developed in partnership with urban rewilding experts Citizen Zoo. The organisation, alongside the Ealing Beaver Project, was behind London's first openly accessible urban beaver population, launched in Ealing in 2023. Elliot Newton, Director of Rewilding at Citizen Zoo, said: Following the success of the Ealing Beaver Project, we have been eager to identify new sites where these incredible ecosystem engineers can bring benefits; from boosting biodiversity and cleaning waterways to mitigating climate change impacts."

Plans propose introducing a colony of Eurasian beavers to South Norwood Country Park as part of a rewilding project to enhance wildlife and attract visitors. Croydon Council is backing the proposals, which are being developed with urban rewilding experts Citizen Zoo and informed by the Ealing Beaver Project that launched London's first openly accessible urban beaver population in 2023. Citizen Zoo is conducting a feasibility study to assess habitat suitability before any introduction. South Norwood Country Park contains a pond and was formerly a sewage site. Reintroduced beavers are expected to boost biodiversity, clean waterways, reduce flooding, and create habitats for fish, birds, insects, and mammals. The park's visitors centre is planned to be restored as an education hub after six years of closure.

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