Croydon may soon be home to a very unusual new addition: a family of beavers could be introduced to South Norwood Country Park as part of a wider rewilding initiative. The scheme aims to enhance local habitats, improve water management and support a more diverse urban ecosystem.
The plans, which have the backing of Croydon Council’s Executive Mayor Jason Perry, would see the beavers living in a secure enclosure within the park. If approved, the project is intended to increase biodiversity, improve water quality and offer a more resilient natural environment for both wildlife and people.
Croydon Council is collaborating with Citizen Zoo, specialists in urban rewilding, to explore the feasibility of the project. Citizen Zoo previously helped launch London’s first publicly accessible urban beaver population in Ealing, through the Ealing Beaver Project, and hopes to replicate some of that success in South Norwood.
Beavers play a vital role in shaping ecosystems. By building dams and creating wetlands, they can improve habitats for birds, fish, insects and other mammals while helping to manage water flow and reduce flooding. Their presence also encourages a richer mix of plant life by opening up small areas of tree canopy.
Before any animals arrive, Citizen Zoo has begun a detailed study to assess whether South Norwood Country Park is a suitable location. Additional funding and the necessary licences from Natural England would be required for the full project to proceed.
Local residents will have a chance to share their opinions through a public consultation in February. This will include questionnaires, community meetings and guided nature walks designed to explain the project and its potential benefits.
If implemented, the beavers would live in London’s largest enclosed urban habitat, which would remain fully accessible to visitors, including dog walkers. The plans also include rebuilding the park’s visitor centre, which would serve as a hub for education and engagement with nature.
Beavers were once widespread across Britain but were hunted to extinction for their fur and meat. Their natural behaviour of felling trees and creating wetlands can have significant ecological benefits when carefully managed in urban spaces.
Executive Mayor Jason Perry said:
“The introduction of beavers in South Norwood Country Park would bring tangible benefits for wildlife and the local community. Alongside investment in the visitor centre, this project is part of our wider commitment to protect and enhance Croydon’s parks and green spaces. I am looking forward to hearing what residents think about these proposals.”
Elliot Newton, Director of Rewilding at Citizen Zoo, added:
“Following our work in Ealing, we were keen to find new sites where beavers could demonstrate their ecological benefits. South Norwood Country Park shows real potential to support biodiversity, improve waterways and engage the community. We are excited to explore how this project could make a lasting difference.”
At present, the South Norwood beaver project is still in the planning stage. Its future depends on the results of feasibility studies, funding, licences and community feedback, but it has already generated significant interest in Croydon’s natural spaces.
