Croydon Council Survey Shows Strong Support for Beaver Introduction

April 23, 2026

Croydon Council has revealed that 96% of residents surveyed are in favour of introducing a family of beavers to South Norwood Country Park. The survey, conducted in February and March by the council in partnership with urban rewilding specialists Citizen Zoo, gathered views from 817 respondents. Of those, 90% indicated strong support, with an additional 6% expressing some support for the proposal.

Project Aims and Next Steps

The initiative seeks to leverage the natural dam-building capabilities of beavers to improve water quality, mitigate flooding, and enhance biodiversity within the 47-hectare Local Nature Reserve. Beavers are considered ecosystem engineers, and their presence is expected to create and expand wetland habitats, benefiting a range of wildlife.

The project plans to establish a secure, fenced habitat within the park, which will remain accessible to the public. Monitoring will be undertaken by the council's countryside warden, Citizen Zoo, and trained local volunteers. The next stage involves submitting plans to Natural England to secure the necessary licence for the introduction.

Community Engagement and Wider Context

Alongside the survey, Croydon Council and Citizen Zoo organised guided walks in South Norwood Country Park, offering residents opportunities to learn more about the biodiversity project and engage with the countryside warden. This community engagement is part of a broader effort to foster local support for rewilding initiatives.

Citizen Zoo has previously facilitated a similar project at Paradise Fields in Ealing, where the introduction of five beavers in 2023 reportedly led to a reduction in localised flooding and antisocial behaviour, alongside an increase in bird and plant life. While specific funding sources for the Croydon project have not been detailed, such initiatives often rely on a combination of council budgets, grants, and potentially developer contributions like Section 106 agreements or Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) funds, depending on the scale and location.

National statistics on urban biodiversity and flood management highlight the increasing importance of such projects in enhancing urban green spaces.

South Norwood Country Park's Ecological Value

South Norwood Country Park is recognised for its existing ecological richness, featuring lakes, wetlands, wet-woodland, and meadows. It supports over 100 bird species annually, eight bat species, 19 butterfly species, and various reptiles and amphibians. The potential introduction of beavers is anticipated to further enrich this diverse ecosystem.

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