In what is being described as a “new era for nature recovery”, the National Trust has released two pairs of beavers into the wild in Purbeck, Dorset.
In the footage, the rotund rodents can be seen waddling calmly out of their cages and exploring their new environments. This is the first legal release of Eurasian beavers (Castor fiber) into the wild in England since they were driven to extinction in the 16th century. They used to be hunted for their fur, meat and scent glands.
“I am thrilled that, after being hunted to extinction centuries ago, wild beavers are finally here to stay,” says Nature Minister Mary Creagh. “Today is an important milestone for national nature recovery.”
“We are generations behind the rest of Europe in bringing this species back,” adds Dr Roisin Campbell-Palmer, Head of Restoration at Beaver Trust.
Beavers play an important role in aquatic environments. They can help reduce river pollution, reduce flooding and boost fish populations.
“As the lake is already deep enough, they won’t need to build dams initially,” says Gen Crisford, Beaver Project Officer at Purbeck at the National Trust, “but by creating glades within the willow woodland, new areas of open wetlands will form to benefit many of the reserve’s rare species including water voles, keeled skimmer dragonflies and tiny ‘bladderwort’ carnivorous plants.”
Main image: National Trust and Beaver Trust
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