Meet otters, beavers and other wetland mammals at Back from the Brink?, WWT Slimbridge's exciting new development.
What is Back from the Brink?
Back from the Brink? takes visitors on a journey back in time to Mesolithic Britain when our wetlands were very different places and were brimming with an extensive range of wetland species some of which are now extinct in Britain.
This is the first mixed exhibit of wetland mammals at WWT Slimbridge since it was opened by Sir Peter Scott in 1946. It brings visitors closer to some of the most charismatic and popular wetland mammals such as otters, beavers, water voles, harvest mice and water shrews.
But more importantly, Back from the Brink? illustrates important conservation issues such as wetland habitat loss, species decline and extinction and the potential re-introduction of once native species to the British landscape. Visitors will meet species that are now extinct in Britain such as the beaver and the common crane, but also those threatened with extinction like the water vole and water shrew and those showing good signs of recovery, like the otter.
The buildings were designed to be sustainable so are made from natural materials such as mud, clay and straw.
What can we do at Back from the Brink?
Meet the otters talks...
Every day visitors can meet mum, Flo, older sister Mo and the two female cubs Minnie and Ha Ha at our daily talks at 11am and 2:30pm.
Watch our beaver...
Our male Eurasian beaver is often asleep during the day but CCTV footage taken from the beaver lodge will ensure you never miss out on his evening antics!
Meet other mammals...
See water shrews, harvest mice and water voles in our viewing gallery or take a peek at the otters sleeping in their holt.
Explore our Mesolthic camp...
You can see what a pristine, unspolit wetland would have once looked like.
Soak up the atmosphere from the thatched hut, overlooking the beaver's lake, or climb into the tree house, sit around the campfire for storytelling or take part in many of our new and exciting Back from the Brink? activities, including face painting, footprint rubbing and trails!
