Guidance

Reintroductions and conservation translocations in England: code, guidance and forms

Follow the code and guidance if you’re considering a species reintroduction or other conservation translocation. Use the forms to record your project and apply for a conservation translocation licence.

• From: Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs and Natural England
• Published: 18 May 2021
• Last updated: 28 February 2025
  Show all updates

  1. 28 February 2025

     Wild release of beavers in England is now permitted with a licence.

  2. 9 July 2024

     Update to ‘Reintroductions and other conservation translocations: code and guidance for England’ including: when you need to use a project scoping form (page 20), when you need permission from the Fish Health Inspectorate (page 27), information on Schedule 9(1B) of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (page 40), when and how to create an exit strategy (page 70), and translocations to mitigate other conflicts (page 74). Update to ‘Conservation translocations: when you need a wildlife licence’: You need to contact the Fish Health Inspectorate if you’re planning a reintroduction or conservation translocation of any species that needs aquaculture.

  3. 16 January 2023

     Updated 'Translocations as a conservation management tool' in part 13 of Reintroductions and other conservation translocations: code and guidance for England.

  4. 2 September 2022

     In 'Conservation translocations: when you need a wildlife licence', updated the section '1.1 Releasing Eurasian beavers into the wild' following the closure of the consultation.

  5. 15 October 2021

     Added references to historic environment assets and scheduled monuments in section on protected places and throughout document at relevant sections. Removed references to the task force.

  6. 18 May 2021

     First published.

Applies to England

• Publication for Northern Ireland
• Publication for Scotland
• Publication for Wales

Documents

Reintroductions and other conservation translocations: code and guidance for England

PDF, 1.04 MB, 79 pages

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Conservation translocations: when you need a wildlife licence

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Conservation translocation project scoping form

MS Word Document, 60.2 KB

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Conservation translocation licence application form

MS Word Document, 81.2 KB

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Details

Anyone considering species reintroductions or other conservation translocations needs to use the code, guidance and forms.

The code, guidance and forms will help you:

• decide whether a conservation translocation is appropriate
• work out what licences and other permissions you need
• increase the chance of potential benefits
• reduce the chance of negative outcomes

Reintroductions code and guidance

The code and guidance include principles and practical steps you need to follow before, during and after a proposed conservation translocation project.

When you need a wildlife licence

This guide helps you decide when you need to apply for a wildlife licence for your conservation translocation.

Project scoping form

The project form will guide you through the benefits, risks and other considerations of a project.

If your project needs a wildlife licence or consent for activities on a protected site, you must complete and submit the project form with your application.

Licence application form

Use the application form to apply for a conservation translocation licence and any other wildlife licences you need for your project.

What species reintroductions are

If you’re a landowner or member of the public, read our guide for species reintroductions and other conservation translocations to find out what conservation translocations are, and how and why one might take place.

Case studies 

To help you plan a conservation translocation, read case studies published by Natural England.

Get advice

For advice on carrying out a conservation translocation, contact Natural England at speciesrecoveryreintroduction@naturalengland.org.uk