Why two rescued beavers called Steve and Terri are in Gweek

One arrived as an orphan. The other was hurt and could not go back to her family. Now the pair are sharing a home at the Cornish Seal Sanctuary in Gweek, and they have been given two of the best-known names in wildlife conservation.

Steve and Terri, two young beavers named in honour of Steve and Terri Irwin, are the sanctuary’s newest residents. They are only temporary ones, though. Cornwall is a stop on their journey rather than the end of it.

📷One of the two young beavers, Steve and Terri, at the Cornish Seal Sanctuary in Gweek. Credit: Cornish Seal Sanctuary

A halfway house for rescued beavers

The sanctuary works with Beaver Trust to provide a safe halfway house for rescued beavers. In its 4-acre enclosure, they can recover, develop natural behaviours and get ready for release back into the wild as part of a national reintroduction programme.

Steve and Terri arrived on 24 September after a period of care at Five Sisters Zoo. Teams from the zoo and Beaver Trust looked after them at the zoo’s dedicated holding facility in West Calder, with specialist veterinary support from Dr Romain Pizzi.

They have already started settling into the sanctuary’s nursery. They are the 12th and 13th beavers to go through the project.

Two very different starts in life

The two kits came into captive care by separate routes, and were paired up so neither would be alone.

Dr Roisin Campbell-Palmer, Head of Restoration at Beaver Trust, said: “These kits have both had very different journeys into captive care. The male arrived as an orphan, while the female was injured and unable to return to her family group. The move was made to pair them together for companionship while they continue to mature, with the hope that, when they are ready, they will establish themselves in a suitable wild release project.”

📷One of the two young beavers, Steve and Terri, at the Cornish Seal Sanctuary in Gweek. Credit: Cornish Seal Sanctuary

Why Steve and Terri?

The names are a tribute to the impact the late Steve Irwin and Terri Irwin have had on wildlife conservation and education around the world. The couple have been personal heroes to many of the team at the sanctuary.

Sean Higgins, the sanctuary’s Property and Conservation Manager, said: “By naming our two new beavers Steve and Terri, we hope to honour that legacy and celebrate the values they championed, a deep respect for wildlife, a commitment to conservation and the belief that inspiring people to care can make a real difference.”

Why beavers matter

Beavers are a keystone species. Their natural activities can help create and maintain wetland habitats, benefiting a wide range of other wildlife.

“Through our ongoing partnership with Beaver Trust, we are proud to play our part in supporting beaver conservation and the wider effort to reintroduce these remarkable animals to our special and unique landscape,” Sean said.

He thanked Beaver Trust for its continued support, expertise and commitment, and the Five Sisters Zoo team for the time, care and dedication they gave the pair. “Their arrival is an exciting moment for everyone at the Cornish Seal Sanctuary, and we look forward to getting to know their personalities and watching them settle into their new surroundings,” he added.

📷One of the two young beavers, Steve and Terri, at the Cornish Seal Sanctuary in Gweek. Credit: Cornish Seal Sanctuary

What happens next

The sanctuary says it will share updates and photographs of Steve and Terri on its social media channels over the coming months, and there is more on the arrival on the sanctuary’s blog.

Sarah Pegg, General Manager at the Cornish Seal Sanctuary, said: “It’s always an exciting time for everyone involved in supporting the reintroduction of beavers, each animal is unique and we are proud to play our part in providing a home and getting them ready for the next chapter of their journey. Steve and Terri have settled in well. They are now the 12th and 13th beavers to go through our project. I am really thankful for all the support from everyone involved.”

📷One of the two young beavers, Steve and Terri, at the Cornish Seal Sanctuary in Gweek. Credit: Cornish Seal Sanctuary