... A FORUM TO STIMULATE DEBATE ... ... JUST ADD A COMMENT AT ANY ENTRY BELOW... ... FOR THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF TOWN AND VALLEY ...

Wednesday 11 March 2015

On the River Otter: "Devon wild beavers cleared to stay"

Last month, the beavers were given the go ahead to return to the River Otter:
Futures Forum: On the River Otter: Devon's beavers are allowed to stay: Natural England grant DWT a five year monitoring licence

This was welcomed by East Devon MP Hugo Swire:
Swire welcomes ‘sensible’ decision on beavers | Hugo Swire

... and by his main opponent in the general election East Devon Cllr Claire Wright:
Government decisions should be based on working with nature, rather than attempting to control it - Claire Wright

The BBC reported the latest earlier today:


Devon wild beavers cleared to stay on River Otter

11 March 2015 

Beavers in the River OtterBeavers have been living on the River Otter, but where they came from is still a mystery

Related Stories

Devon's wild beavers will be allowed to stay on the River Otter after being found clear of a disease.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) confirmed the beavers were free of tapeworm.
Devon Wildlife Trust won a five-year licence to look after the beavers as long as they were free of the parasitic disease which is harmful to humans.
It said the beavers, which are being looked after in an artificial lodge, would be released soon.
BeaverDevon Wildlife Trust said the tests were conducted without injury to the beavers
BeaverThe beavers were found clear of the parasitic disease echinococcus multilocularis
tree trunk gnawed by beaversBeavers gnaw trees like this to get to young green shoots at the top
Beavers have been living on the River Otter for a number of years, but where they came from is still a mystery. It is thought that there are now at least three young "kits" and four adults.
The government initially decided that the animals represented a possible threat, both to health and the countryside, and should be taken in to captivity.
This prompted environmental charity Friends of the Earth to launch a legal challenge, and the Devon Wildlife Trust to apply for a licence for them to stay.
That was granted in January, dependent on the adult beavers being found clear of the parasitic disease echinococcus multilocularis.
Devon Wildlife Trust said the tests were conducted without injury to the beavers which were being kept in artificial lodges and appeared to be comfortable and feeding well.
A spokesman said: "We are confident that we will be able to announce the beavers' return to the Otter in the near future."

More on This Story

Related Stories


BBC News - Devon wild beavers cleared to stay on River Otter
.
.
.

No comments: