Bringing back the beaver

25 May 2008

Wildlife Trust officers are travelling to Norway to learn more about how the European beaver could be reintroduced to Wales. The conservationists will visit the prestigious Norwegion Institute for Nature Research on Monday (May 26) and meet Dr Duncan Halley, one of the world’s leading beaver experts.

The European beaver (Castor fiber) was once widespread throughout mainland Britain, but was hunted to extinction by the 1600s. It was present in Wales in the 12^th century, and was mentioned by Giraldus Cambrensis (Gerald of Wales) in his book, The Journey Through Wales (1188 AD). The beaver was sought-after not only for its highly-prized skin, but also for the oil found in glands at the base of its tail, which was to make medicine and perfume. By the beginning of the 20^th century, only a few beaver colonies remained across Europe.

The six Wildlife Trusts in Wales, working with other partners, have been studying the question of reintroduction for the past five years. The Welsh Beaver Assessment Initiative – funded by the Countryside Council for Wales – is now underway and is due to be completed by January 2009. Work to be carried out will include the survey and selection of suitable sites in Wales. As well as habitat suitability, the assessment will also consider the economic and social benefits of a beaver reintroduction and will examine long-term management options.

Any reintroduction would require the approval of the Welsh Assembly Government and CCW as its relevant regulatory body. Reintroduction programmes have taken place in 24 countries in the last few decades.

Project co-ordinator, Adrian Lloyd Jones said: "Beavers play a fundamental role as a 'keystone' species, restoring wetland ecosystems and helping to enrich river habitats for people and wildlife. Their activities can also help to reduce the incidence and impacts of floods. In addition to this they offer great potential for boosting rural economies through eco-tourism initiatives. It is crucial that the issues surrounding a beaver reintroduction are well understood by all parties and this forms a major part of the assessment initiative."

The Beaver Information Exchange for Wales website has been developed at www.beaverinfo.org. This provides more detailed information on European beaver, the issues surrounding a reintroduction to Wales, and enables people to submit comments and questions.

For further information please contact:

Derek Moore OBE

Welsh Beaver Assessment Initiative Management Group Member

Former Chief Executive, Wildlife Trust of South & West Wales

Tel: 07870 688313 / 01558 823708

Email: DerekBirdBrain@aol.com

Julian Branscombe

Chief Executive, Gwent Wildlife Trust

Welsh Beaver Assessment Initiative Management Group Member

Tel: 01600 740600

Email: jbranscombe@gwentwildlife.org

For interviews in Welsh, please contact Iestyn Thomas of Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trust on 07792 938910

Castor fiber: Species profile

· The beaver is the largest rodent native to Europe, with adults weighing 18-20kg. Head and body length is between 70-100 cm., while the tail is from 30-40cm

· Beavers are large semi-aquatic rodents that live in territorial family groups consisting of a breeding pair and their offspring of the year and (usually) the previous year

· Average litter size is 2.5 pups (range 1-5), average group size 3.8 individuals (range 2-9).

· Young leave their parents in the spring, usually as two-year-olds, but sometimes earlier

· They are mainly nocturnal, and eat very wide range of plants as well as tree bark, especially willow

· Generally, they live for 7-8 years, but have been known to live for up to 25 years.

· They prefer burrows in river banks as a nesting place, but will build lodges of piled logs where burrowing is not possible. The European beaver builds fewer dams than the North American beaver, and it does so generally in shallow streams to maintain water levels above the entrance to its burrow. Dams are built of tree trunks, branches and mud, and are about 1m in height and rarely longer than 15m.

· The current population has been estimated at 639,000