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National Trust reintroduces beavers to Wallington
The family of four will develop a wetland ecosystem.
The project aims to create wildlife-rich wetlands.

The National Trust has introduced a family of beavers to a tributary in Wallington, in an effort to renew and restore nature to the area.

The family of four were released into a 24-hectare enclosure on a tributary of the Hart Burn in the estate, where they will significantly impact the habitat within and develop a wetland ecosystem.

The beavers, two adults and two young, were relocated from the River Tay in Scotland following a health screening and pre-release care.

The development marks the first re-introduction of beavers by the National Trust in the North of England, following releases in Devon and the edge of the South Downs.

The latest reintroduction forms part of the National Trust’s Wilder Wallington project, which aims to improve the prospects for nature across the 5,300 hectare estate and beyond.

The programme will now be carefully monitored for its environmental benefits, including water quality, floodwater management, vegetation changes and ecology. The Environment Agency will also study how the beavers and the native white-clawed crayfish co-exist.

Newcastle University will create a 3-D model of the enclosure to monitor habitat changes.

As the beavers establish themselves in their new surroundings, the National Trust has asked that people do not visit the site, to allow them time to settle in and set up their den with minimal disturbance.

Paul Hewitt, countryside manager at the National Trust, said: "Much as they did centuries ago, these instinctive animals will engineer the landscape, creating a dynamic system of dams and ponds that, over time, will become a lush wetland, brimming with life.

“The BBC’s Wild Isles was a powerful reminder of the beauty – and critically, the scarcity – of British wildlife. If we are to make sure those amazing natural spectacles don’t become a thing of the past, we have to create space for wildlife to thrive. Beavers are a fantastic tool to help us do that; where they go, fish, insects, birds and amphibians follow.”

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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
RCVS pays tribute to well-loved equine vet

The RCVS and the Riding Establishments Subcommittee has paid tribute to well-loved veterinary surgeon and riding establishment inspector, Rebecca Hamilton-Fletcher MRCVS.

Linda Belton MRCVS, RCVS President, said: "I, along with my colleagues on the RESC, RCVS Council, RCVS Standards Committee, as well as RCVS staff, was very saddened to hear of the sudden death of Rebecca, or Becca as we knew her, last week.

"She was a true advocate for equine welfare and in her many years on the RESC worked to continually improve the quality and consistency of riding establishment inspections, all in the interests of enhanced horse welfare and rider safety."