Wednesday, 25 August 2021

Return of the 'Natural Engineers'?

'Cautious' plans are being put in place for the return of the Beaver to English rivers (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/aug/25/beavers-to-make-cautious-return-to-england-with-legal-protection). Beavers will be given legal protection in England. it will be made an offense to deliberately capture, kill, disturb or injure them. The Beaver's breeding or resting sites will also be protected. Plans are also out for consultation on the criteria to be used by people making applications to release Beavers into 'the wild'. The releasers will need to achieve local 'buy-ins' and support from landowners and river users. This might be more difficult. Rivers pass through areas belonging to multiple landowners. There are also some very diverse river users, including anglers, canoeists, houseboat owners, wild swimmers, water skiers and sailing enthusiasts. It is also to be hoped that Beavers will not be released into rivers contaminated by chicken farms and/or water companies. Beaver enthusiasts point to the animal's potential role in 'rewilding'. The Beaver does all its work for free. A proper balance does, however, need to be achieved. The initial extinction of the English Beaver was a far from cautious exercise.

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