Wild beaver release 'inevitable'
THE conservationist behind controversial plans to reintroduce wild beaver to the Westcountry says it is "inevitable" others will follow from a landmark scheme in Scotland.
Beavers have been released back into the wild for the first time in 400 years close to a loch in Knapdale Forest, Argyll. Originally from Norway, two families of nocturnal rodents were taken north of the border following six months in quarantine in West Devon.
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Representing the most ambitious mammal re-introduction programme to date in Britain, the arrival of the 11 beavers has followed years of protests from landowners, farmers and fisheries who claimed the animals would damage salmon and trout rivers and flood farmland with their dam-making and tree-felling.
Naturalists hope the five-year pilot projects will prove that the activity of the beavers, which were hunted to extinction hundreds of years ago, create rich wetland habitats.
As scores of conservation groups consider beaver re-introduction programmes, the most advanced scheme in England is in the Westcountry. South West Water is toying with applying for a licence to employ beavers on a reservoir in a radical move to purify water naturally.
The embryonic proposal for dams to be built on the waterways flowing into the 730-acre Roadford Lake has divided villages in rural West Devon, with sceptical landowners fearing the ramifications of felled trees.
Conservationist Derek Gow, who is both advising South West Water and quarantined the beavers destined for Scotland at his farm in Broadwoodwidger, near Lifton, said the Knapdale pilot is "hugely significant".
The Scottish Wildlife Trust and the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland were given the go-ahead for a trial reintroduction programme in May last year. Scottish Natural Heritage will monitor it and report to ministers on the outcome. The 11 beavers have been fitted with tracking devices. Mr Gow said: "The issues has been to-ing and fro-ing for 15 years, but the beavers will do well because the habitat is right. I think that after this one it is inevitable others will follow."
At the same time as working on a financial incentive for farmers near Roadford, as well as a comprehensive management plan, he is being contacted by wildlife groups keen to reintroduce beaver. Natural England has identified Devon and Cornwall as prime beaver habitat. Mr Gow added: "We know they will well. The habitat is good. We shouldn't have to wait five years to get on with it.
10 Comments
by Judy Pollitt, Rural Worcestershire
Tuesday, June 02 2009, 11:12AM
“Absolutely wonderful. Let's hope they thrive and multiply.”
by Clive, Truro.
Monday, June 01 2009, 7:55PM
“Well said Chris. As a matter of fact some years ago in Canada villagers were saved by Beaver's dams. A sudden flash flood occurred after a storm and the dam held back the water long enough for the villagers to get away. So you see it works both ways.”
by Fos, Devon
Monday, June 01 2009, 2:21PM
“What is they say? Take a dozen experts: get a dozen opinions. Just choose the one you like best Davey.”
by Chris Durston, Beaworthy
Sunday, May 31 2009, 9:41PM
“Come on, how about some informed debate? A little respect wont hurt anyone.
Davey, experts studying potential impacts is all rather vague when it comes to the reality. No one is infallible, therefore an acknowledgement of the risk and potential problems must be considered.”
by davey, devon
Sunday, May 31 2009, 7:10PM
“Or to put it another way, if it's a choice between the opinions of conservationists who have spent many years carefully researching the potential impact or the opinions of those that post here, where the level of intelligence sits somewhere below that of a brick, I know which way I'm going to go.”
by davey, devon
Sunday, May 31 2009, 4:08PM
“brilliant. Love beavers. Bring more.”
by Chris Durston, Beaworthy
Sunday, May 31 2009, 3:01PM
“Well said Richard. The tale of beaver dams helping to reduce flood risk must be flawed. I guess it may depend on terrain but a dam washing out, as they will, has to cause a surge and therefore extra flood risk.
Another example of the 'experts' knowing what is best for the countryside and of course what is best for landowners.
One fact that is conveniently ignored by the proponents of this madness is the ownership of the land in question. Dams on rivers flowing into Roadford reservoir would be on private property. Their consent should be required, it is not there.
Once again, we are seeing huge sums of money being taken out of our system in order to promote minority and fringe issues. We have neither the resources nor the space to indulge in this tinkering with nature.
Oh, what happened to the other six beaver? I thought 17 were in waiting for Knapdale, not 11. Perhaps they don't keep well in quarantine?”
by Charles Henry 1945-(diuturnity), Somersetshire
Sunday, May 31 2009, 11:22AM
“:| The lunatics really are taking over the asylum. . This government is about to be punished for going blindly ahead with perfunctory schemes without consulting the people. . Hopefully we will be in time to stop some of the present lunacy.”
by Reg, Portugal
Sunday, May 31 2009, 10:55AM
“In any event, there are very few untouched by "human hand" beavers in the Westcountry!”
by Richard, newton abbot
Sunday, May 31 2009, 10:12AM
“A complete disaster for migratory fish such as salmon and sea trout which will result in spawning streams being blocked and a disaster for stocks.
Also an engineering friend of mine advises me that these will icnrease the risks of floods such as the lynmouth disaster as on short steep rivers once one dam goes the resulting water surge will cause all the other dams further downstream to go as well with a huge tidal wave of flood water.”