Beavering Away

It is reported that the must have accessory for some large UK estates is a licence to reintroduce a pair of breeding European beavers (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/feb/01/beavers-uk-estate-owners-reintroduction-conservation-flooding). These animals were driven to extinction on these islands more than 400 years ago but they are now seen as being good for the environment. Their lodge-building activity is said to reduce the chances of flooding, to improve water quality and to aid the spread of other approved species. This all seems very different to some initial claims that these busy rodents would cause serious problems in terms of land management.