Beavers coming back

Jo-grez · #1 (**permalink**) 05-11-2004, 02:51 PM

I was listening to Radio 4 last and they were talking about re-introducing the Beaver back to Britain as we're the only country in Europe that doesn't have them.

Anybody know who where they're planning on doing it? We saw some beavers building a dam in France a couple of years ago and it was absolutely facinating. We ended up sitting and having picnic for a couple of hours whilst we watched them working about 60m away.

They weren't the least bit shy of us and I think they would be a great site to see in the British countryside

Jo Pedder · #2 (**permalink**) 09-05-2005, 01:53 PM

I think that at least one trial site has been initiated with an introction of a small group of beaver in SE england at a sectret location by EN. Various bodies are working towards introductions in Scotland (www.scotsbeavers.org/aboutus.html ). More interestingly I recently heard (again on Radio 4) that one landlord in Scotland is intending to release brown bears, lynx and wolf onto his estate!

StuartDH · #3 (**permalink**) 09-05-2005, 03:05 PM

It would certainly make an interesting addition to the countryside. Apart from squirrels, rabbits and a few foxes, it's fairly rare for the average person to ever find any mammals whilst out and about Britain.

I saw my first shrew in years last month and (when I'm not deliberatley out looking for them) I only very rarely find badgers, deer, rodents etc.

StuartDH · #4 (**permalink**) 10-05-2005, 10:07 AM

I saw on the kids TV program 'Newsround' this morning that the Scottish Wildlife Trust are soon to start introducing trials with tagged beavers in a limited number of locations to monitor their impact on the local environment.

As I was looking for more info I found this story about Beavers in the US:

http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_1178113.html

Pat · #5 (**permalink**) 10-05-2005, 07:35 PM

Where I live in Guildford Surrey we have had a lynx living in our local woodland for about 4 years now, it's often seen by walkers usually sitting in a tree, it's definitely a lynx not just a big tabby cat! About a month ago it disappeared and I was reading our local paper the other day when I came across an article which said Lynx Seen On Whitmoor Common, this common is about 2 miles away so perhaps he or she has moved on! We also have foxes, badgers, deer and all sorts of rodents, Quite a wildlife haven up in the woodland. If you sit very quietly at night you see all sorts of creatures. Pat

StuartDH · #6 (**permalink**) 11-05-2005, 07:25 AM

Hot off the press!

http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/ne...=809&Itemid=41

StuartDH · #7 (**permalink**) 02-09-2005, 11:46 AM

Another update

http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/ne...1098&Itemid=41

Diane · #8 (**permalink**) 02-09-2005, 01:07 PM

The company I work for produce various journals, and one that I've been proofreading recently, which is soon to be published, has an article about assessing sites for possible reintroduction of Eurasian Beaver.

The study was carried out in the River Rother area, between Sheffield and Rotherham, and a couple of sites were found to be suitable. Assessment was based on abundance of food, bank height, depth of water, possible disturbance, etc. The main concern is whether the current habits of Britain are capable of sustaining populations of healthy beavers, and how the beaver will affect existing land use.

Beaver has been reintroduced into parts of ten European countries. The article goes on to say that introductions are planned by Kent Wildlife Trust, Scottish Natural Heritage and potentially in Norfolk.