If you live in Surrey, Beavers could soon be coming to a river near you.

Surrey Wildlife Trust is hoping to bring back the Eurasian species which was hunted to extinction in the UK around 400 years ago.

Beavers offer numerous ecological benefits including flood control.

But studies must first be conducted to fully assess the potential effectiveness and impact of the animals on Wildlife Trust reserves.

The organisation’s ‘Ecosystem Engineers’ appeal has so far raised almost £400,000 to fund the project.

But it’s hoping more people will donate to the cause before the end of the month to help make the Beaver dream a reality.

In October 2023, a family of five Eurasian beavers was released into Paradise Fields in Ealing in a London first.

Oliver Fry, Communications Manager at Surrey Wildlife Trust, has been talking to Chloe Norman about the project.