Croydon could soon be welcoming some very distinctive new residents, with plans being explored to introduce a family of beavers to South Norwood Country Park as part of an ambitious rewilding project.
If approved, the proposals backed by Croydon Council’s Executive Mayor, Jason Perry, would see the beavers settling into the park and getting straight to work - enhancing wildlife habitats, improving water quality and helping create a healthier natural environment.
The Council is working in partnership with Citizen Zoo, urban rewilding experts who are enthusiastic about the site’s potential. Citizen Zoo, alongside partners at the Ealing Beaver Project, were behind the introduction of London’s first openly accessible urban beaver population in Ealing, demonstrating just how transformative a well-managed beaver presence can be.
Beavers are renowned ecosystem engineers. They build dams, create wetlands and reshape waterways - improving water quality, reducing flood risk and boosting biodiversity for fish, insects, birds and other mammals. When beavers arrive, they are famously industrious and waste no time making a difference.
Investment in and improvements to Croydon’s parks is a key priority, supporting cleaner, greener and healthier spaces for residents to enjoy - with nature playing an active role in that transformation.
Before any beavers make themselves fully at home, Citizen Zoo has secured funding and begun an in-depth feasibility study to determine whether the habitat is suitable. Should the project proceed, additional funding will be required and licences will need approval from Natural England, ensuring everything is done responsibly and in line with best practice.
Residents will be invited to have their say during a public consultation in February. This will include a questionnaire, community talks and guided nature walks, giving people the opportunity to learn more about the proposals and ask questions before any final decisions are made.
If approved, the beavers would live within a secure enclosure - the largest in London - fully accessible to residents, including local dog walkers. Alongside this, the visitor centre would be rebuilt, delivering the Mayor’s commitment to restore the vandalised building to its former use as a nature education centre and creating a focal point for learning and engagement.
Beavers were once common across Britain and London but were hunted to extinction centuries ago. Their natural behaviour includes selectively felling trees to shape healthier wetlands - opening up small areas of canopy, allowing more light to reach the ground and encouraging a richer mix of plant life.
In an urban environment, this activity can be carefully managed. Priority trees can be protected, beaver activity guided to the right locations and the overall impact balanced - ensuring the benefits are maximised while the park remains welcoming for everyone.
Jason Perry, Executive Mayor of Croydon, said:
“The introduction of beavers in South Norwood Country Park would benefit local wildlife and be a massive boost for the borough.
“It would support the park’s biodiversity, and residents and tourists will benefit from investment in a revitalised visitors’ centre. This is yet another example of what I am doing to protect and improve our wonderful parks and green spaces.
“I look forward to hearing what residents think about these exciting proposals, which will bring new neighbours and very welcome investment to South Norwood Country Park.”
Elliot Newton, Director of Rewilding at Citizen Zoo, said:
“Following the success of the Ealing Beaver Project, we have been eager to identify new sites where these incredible ecosystem engineers can demonstrate the vast benefits they bring - from boosting biodiversity and cleaning our waterways to mitigating the impacts of climate change.
“Upon visiting South Norwood Country Park, we were immediately struck by its potential; the site bears a remarkable resemblance to Paradise Fields, and we see a unique opportunity to strengthen ecological resilience whilst deeply engaging the local community. We are thrilled to be progressing this project and look forward to seeing its potential positive impact in the years to come.”
