Beavers (Castor fiber) are large semi-aquatic rodents that were once common in rivers and wetlands throughout Britain. However, they died out more than 200 years ago, largely because of over-hunting. Within the last 15 to 20 years there has been a great deal of activity from many interest groups and organisations about reintroducing beavers back into Britain. In Scotland, this culminated with the release of three families of beavers into Knapdale Forest in Mid-Argyll, Scotland in May 2009. More-or-less at the same time, feasibility studies on releasing beavers into England and into Wales were being prepared and have subsequently been published.
There are many complex issues involved in reintroducing animals back into their former range, not only with respect to the animals, but also to the environment and human society. To help provide independent advice and information, and to act as a focal point for discussion about the reintroduction of beavers into England, the Beaver Advisory Committee for England (BACE) was established in July 2010.