Beavers at Longleat caught on camera helping each other build a dam
The footage show's the beavers helping each other move tree branches
Beavers at Longleat have been caught on camera helping each other to build a dam.
The camera trap from Longleat was captured during the summer last year (2025) and shows two beavers helping each other move tree branches to create a dam on the Wiltshire estate.
Dr Tom Lewis, conservation and research manager at Longleat, described their activity as exciting, highlighting how their presence has positively impacted the reserve.
Dr Lewis said, “We are seeing lots of native species making their homes on the wider estate, particularly beavers – we now know of four families that call the estate home.
“Excitingly, we’ve spotted kits on camera traps at two of those families this year.
“The footage from the summer also shows their interaction and how they assist each other and work together.
“One of the interesting factors about having beavers living wild on the estate is how we manage our commercial forestry operation around them as this has ensured our woodlands are so good for wildlife.
“We also have beavers living right at the centre of the historic parkland, a landscape that was not designed with beavers in mind.”
The estate is now planning to host an event to explore sustainable forest management and continuous cover forestry alongside beaver activity in ancient landscapes.
The day will take place on 26th February and is aimed at land managers, woodland managers, and foresters. It will feature discussions led by Professor Edward Wilson, as well as a tour of Longleat’s woodland beaver complex, and a walk around the estate’s parkland.