Beavers have been found to be living on the River Stour in Dorset in the latest indication of a comeback by the dam-making mammal.
Dorset Wildlife Trust (DWT) has confirmed that a recently-planted tree had been felled by a beaver.
It said it was a “clear sign” that beavers are present along the river, but in unknown numbers and distribution.
Conservationists described it as “great encouragement” for their habitat improvement work.
Beavers became extinct in Britain in the 16th Century, largely because they were hunted for their fur, meat and the oil in their scent glands.
Eurasian beavers have been making a comeback and in October 2022 they were officially recognised as a resident native species in England once again and afforded European protective status.
DWT introduced an adult male and adult female into a freshwater habitat in 2021 as part of a project to bring beavers back to Dorset.
In 2022 it said beaver kits had been spotted at the Dorset Beaver Project site in west Dorset.
The trust said the latest discovery by a member of the public came from the banks of the River Stour near Gillingham.
It was on a section where Gillingham Action for Nature Group (Gang) had previously participated in tree planting.
One of the trees, a native black poplar planted around 13 years ago, was discovered felled. It was later confirmed as being the work of a beaver.
Bob Messer, co-ordinator of Gang said: “Beavers are the original coppicers who promote much-needed diversity amongst tree growth and it’s great encouragement for our conservation work.”
DWT said “feeding signs” had been seen at several areas along the Stour.
“The origin of the beavers in the Dorset Stour is unknown, although there are beavers living in neighbouring river catchments to the north in Somerset and animals could have made their way through the landscape,” it said.
DWT has set up a Beaver Management Group to help local residents cope with any conflicts created by the presence of beavers.