Labrador-length rodent engineers are* coming to our rivers. Here's what you need to know about Eurasian Beavers, and where you might see them in a couple of years.
Another comment from a reader by email about the ancient ties between species that lived here together for many thousands of years before we came along -
"A comment I hear people make is 'The Beaver taught the Salmon to jump'. People have got to get it through their heads that the interrelationships between these species goes back before humans ever came on the scene. It is truly ancient and transcends multiple species groups and families.
"Another reason reintroduction is so critical for our dying ecology. It is estimated that beaver have a positive influence on 75% of aquatic and terrestrial ecology."
Quick update - I'm told I should say a Eurasian Beaver is closer to the size of a 'fat spaniel' rather than a labrador. Fair enough, since I haven't seen one yet. But I think they're about as long as a labrador, if that helps.
Another comment from a reader by email about the ancient ties between species that lived here together for many thousands of years before we came along -
"A comment I hear people make is 'The Beaver taught the Salmon to jump'. People have got to get it through their heads that the interrelationships between these species goes back before humans ever came on the scene. It is truly ancient and transcends multiple species groups and families.
"Another reason reintroduction is so critical for our dying ecology. It is estimated that beaver have a positive influence on 75% of aquatic and terrestrial ecology."
Thanks David, a really interesting article that answers a lot of the questions people might have about Beaver reintroduction.
Quick update - I'm told I should say a Eurasian Beaver is closer to the size of a 'fat spaniel' rather than a labrador. Fair enough, since I haven't seen one yet. But I think they're about as long as a labrador, if that helps.