Introduction of the extinct Eurasian Beaver in Britain

The Eurasian beaver used to flourish all across Eurasia however at the turn of the 20th century, it is estimated that there were only 1200 left in this region

What happened to them?

Beavers were hunted to extinction for both their meat and a secretion called Castoreum- used in perfumes. In Britain, the beaver was hunted to extinction in the 16th century.

Why are they important?

The beaver is known as a “keystone species”

- They are a species that have a disproportionate effect on an ecosystem, their presence defines the ecosystem.

Through their construction of dams and canals through dead wood, they are able to create habitats where life can flourish. Since beavers do not eat any other animals, many species are said to flourish in the presence of beavers.

The River Otter beaver trial

A population of beavers were found living at the River Otter in Devon. The UK government had planned to remove them in 2014 however after pressure from many groups, the government saw this as an opportunity to trial their reintroduction. As long as the beavers were Eurasian and disease free- they could stay.

The monitoring of the population to see their effect on the landscape ended in 2020, with the government concluding they could remain as a part of the River Otter’s natural wildlife.

The effects of the trial

The success at the River Otter resulted in the first government-sanctioned reintroduction of a native species in the UK. The beavers are also expected to be given special status, meaning that it will be illegal to hurt or disturb them.

Further trials

The success of this trial has led to further planning to trial beaver reintroduction in other places across the country. The Staffordshire wildlife trust estimates that beaver reintroduction could cut flood risk and the slower water flow from the dams could help the white-clawed crayfish population too

As other countries in Europe work towards reintroduction, life looks promising for the once-extinct Eurasian Beaver.

Sources

RSPB, BBC, Countryfile, Natural History Museum