A reintroduction process will see Eurasian beavers brought back to Ealing for the first time in 400 years at Paradise Fields.

A community project working with conservationists will see Eurasian beavers, a native species to Britain and Europe's largest rodent, brought back to Ealing after they were licensed to return.

Paradise Fields, a ten hectare space of woodland and wetland in urban Greenford, underwent a feasibility study and license application from Natural England and the Beaver Trust to secure their return.

Head of Restoration at Beaver Trust, Dr Roisín Campbell-Palmer, said: "Now that beavers are back in Britain, learning to coexist with them is fundamental to the species' successful restoration. We look forward to continuing to support the team to make the most of this superbly located site."

This project was a collaboration between Ealing Wildlife Group, Citizen Zoo, Friends of Horsenden Hill and Ealing Council with support from Beaver Trust and its aims are to demonstrate: how to manage beavers in an urban context; habitat and biodiversity improvements with a view to reintroducing Water Voles; and how local urban communities engage with urban rewilding, biodiversity and nature-based solutions or ecosystem services.

Dr Sean McCormack, vet and Chair of Ealing Wildlife Group said: "Many people assume beavers to be a wilderness species, in fact we've just forgotten how closely we used to live alongside them.

"We're so excited to study how beavers interact with an urban river catchment and, crucially, with urban communities."

Elliot Newton, co-founder of Citizen Zoo, added: "We are hoping to challenge perceptions, and demonstrate how London too, can embrace these ecosystem engineers as we strive for a healthier, wilder future in which our Capital can become a leader in urban rewilding. Which will greatly benefit not only wildlife populations but local communities too."

A fundraising appeal has been started to support the project's set up and running costs. If you would like to contribute to this exciting urban rewilding project, you can find the donations page here: https://www.citizenzoo.org/get-involved/appeal-page/.