A British EV safari: Which EV chargers are closest to these wildlife sites?

Overview

Some readers might be surprised by the concept of a safari in the UK, however, across these isles there are many iconic species that live much closer than you think. In this article, we will he highlighting these animals, the places you can see them and the nearest EV chargers.

Key Sites:

• Beavers in Nottinghamshire
• Semi-wild horses in Hampshire
• Seals in Norfolk
• Bison in Kent

Beavers

While normally associated with the US and Canada, beavers were once native to the UK, having originally disappeared from the landscape 400 years ago. The past five years have been an exciting time, since successful reintroduction programs have allowed beavers to return to the waterways of the UK. 2021 marked the turning point for this species, since the UK government granted them legal protection, paving the way for larger reintroduction projects.

Beavers are ecosystem engineers (2), meaning that they shape their environment around them. Specifically, they build dams! When beavers create their homes out of wood, they help slow down the flow of rivers and create large ponds. This helps to prevent flooding and creates habitats for a myriad of species.

One of the best places you can go and see beavers in the UK is at Wilder Idle Valley (3) near Retford, Nottinghamshire. The Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust runs the 475-hectare site. While the beavers are kept in a large enclosure while their population settles, you can still go and see them by booking a beaver tour (4). The site also hosts a myriad of other wildlife including otters, lesser spotted woodpeckers and turtle doves.

Station Road, Bawtry has the nearest Mer EV charging point to Wilder Idle Valley.

Semi-wild Horses and Ponies

Being a quintessential farm animal, horses and ponies are not often thought of as being part of a wild landscape. However, the ancestors of our modern domesticated horses once roamed the heathlands and forests of the UK. These wild horses played an important role in clearing vegetation to provide open habitats for other species. While the wild horses, also called Tarpan, are now extinct their closest living relatives have been under our noses the entire time! Exmoor ponies were discovered to be genetically similar to their wild ancestors and already live in a semi-wild state (5).

One site that they have been recently reintroduced to that you can see them in, is Ewhurst Park (6). The site consists of mixed woodland and heath spanning over 364 hectares. Other free roaming animals include longhorn cattle and Tamworth pigs, which fill the niche of aurochs and wild boar. The park is waiting to receive its license to introduce beavers as well, supplementing the otters and kingfishers that already inhabit the ponds and streams there.

Anchor Road, Kingsclere is the nearest Mer EV charging point to Ewhurst Park.

Seals

The coastlines of the UK are host to fantastic wildlife as well, on the western shores you might be lucky enough to spots whales or basking sharks, but if you want a much more likely wildlife encounter one of the best places is in Norfolk. Blakeney Point and Horsey both have colonies of Grey and Common seals which in recent years have been prospering. If you go between November and February, you might see their pups! (7)

There are several boat tours that go out to Blakeney Point, or if you suffer from sea sickness you can walk along the beach at Horsey and you might be lucky to see them resting on the beach.

Theatre Street, Swaffham is the nearest Mer EV charging to Horsey and Blakeney Point.

Looking to the future

The future is looking more positive for the UK, in the past year we have seen the reintroduction of the largest species once native to the UK, the European Bison or Wisent in the Blean Forest, Kent. For now, the bison are in an enclosure and are off-limits to the public. In the coming years this might change and soon there will be another stop on your EV safari!

There are even more sites to cover such as Golden eagles in Scotland, Ospreys in Wales, Red deer across most of the country and many more.