Why are beavers released into England's rivers? What you need to know | Animals

When did Biber live wildly in Great Britain and why were they extended?

The Eurasian beaver comes from Great Britain and was once widespread and helps to form the country's wetland landscapes from prehistoric times. About 400 years ago it was hunted to extend. The stabilizer, the meat and an oil they separate were valuable at that time, so that people killed them for profit.

When did you return for the first time?

The beavers were discovered in Scotland on the Tay River in the early 2000s and probably released illegally. A study was set up in 2009 to measure its effects on the landscape, and the beavers were allowed to remain due to positive results. Since 2021, the Scottish government has officially made the movement and release of Biber in Scotland, where the beaver population is now estimated at 1,500.

In England, the beavers were illegally released on the Otter River in Devon in 2008 to lead a debate about whether they should record or stay. The beavers were examined between 2015 and 2020 and have a positive influence. They were allowed to stay and since then the state watchdog of natural England has worked on plans to enable the wild release of Biber throughout England. In the meantime there were numerous illegal publications, mainly in the south. It is believed that there are around 500 beavers that currently live wildly in England. The release of beavers without a license is still illegal, not from Natural England or other nature conservation groups and can end up in prison for up to six months.

Why do conservationists want Beavers back?

Beavers are known as “keystone art” because they help to create different ecosystems that support a wide range of other creatures such as otters, water spy mice, water walls, birds, dragonflies and fishing. This is because you build lakes, ponds, camouflage, open -air, leaky dams and other swampy places that slow down the flow of rivers and generate wetlands with different depths and streams with different speeds – perfect habitats for a variety of animals and plants. Studies have shown that beavers contribute to increasing the numbers of fish and insects, and birds thrive because there are more insects to eat for them. The leaky dams that you create also filter the water and eliminate pollution. And wetlands help to follow the carbon, which is essential for combating the climate crisis.

Are there any other good reasons for beavers to return?

Beaver also manage very well with water. With the collapse of the climate, England will probably experience more floods and drought. Biber can help. Your pools and wetland systems keep water instead of letting it flow to the sea. This means that the soil is more damp and fertile during a drought and water must be pumped in pools to use water. They also slow down the river flow by expanding them and creating leaks that gradually flow through the system. This keeps the water down in cities and villages and floods it.

Who doesn't want Beavers back?

Some farmers and landowners fear the beaver's return because they fear that the rodents could flood their fields and damage valuable arable land. The government uses measures to enable the removal of new beaver insights in sensitive areas. On Europe in mainland, where the species is widespread after a century of successful reintroduction in countries such as Germany and Poland, the beavers involved are then placed in a more appropriate place.

Some fishermen are concerned that beaver dams could stop migration from fish. In addition to salmon, however, the beavers developed, which runs easily through the dams. Beaver also generate flat streams made of gravel made of rapidly flowing water, which are perfect for fish breeding. Others have given concerns that beavers could eat fish such as salmon and trout. Although the beavers in CS Lewis' The Chronicles of Narnia actually enjoyed eating fish, they are strictly vegan in real life.

What happens next?

Charity organizations and individuals will apply for nature licenses for the release of beavers. The wildlife trusts have plans to go to the southwest, but there are people across the country who have animals in housings and want permission to tear down the fences. The Knepp project in Sussex hopes, for example, to give his four kits in the wilderness. As soon as the licenses are granted, we will start to release beavers across the country and you will slowly repeat the rivers of England.

Rewilders can then have their sights on the return of other long -lost species such as Sea Eagles, Wildcats, Wildschwein, Lynx and maybe even wolves.