Biodiversity
Beavers
In October 2005, 6 Beavers were released into an enclosed lake at Lower Mill Estate in the Cotswold Water Park.
Key Facts
- Beavers are native to Britain but became extinct by the 17th Century through over hunting not through habitat loss
- Beavers are rodents and are entirely vegetarian, feeding on the bark, leaves and shoots of trees and on herbaceous plants and aquatic plants.
- Beavers were hunted for their fur which was used to make coats and hats.
Most valuable of all were their castoreum glands. Due to the willow bark that Beavers eat, Salicylic acid (Aspirin) accumulates in the glands. During the Middle Ages these glands were a prized medicine and therefore highly valuable. - 1.6 million years ago there was a beaver the size of the American Black bear weighing around 200kg. It had the same brain size as today?s Beavers which on average weigh 11-26kg!.
- Beavers were on the verge of extinction throughout Europe at the end of the 19th Century but have be successfully re-introduced into virtually every country in Europe.
The Society has been working in partnership with the Lower Mill Estate to bring back beavers to lowland England.
In October 2005, 6 beavers (2 families) were released into a secure enclosure on the Lower Mill Estate. The 20 hectare enclosure into which the beavers were released comprises a 15ha lake, 3ha of woodland and grassland.
Over time, territorial disputes led to one family being relocated. The existing family is doing well and no longer uses the artificial lodge provided for them, but has created an entirely natural lodge from the trees that they have felled.
The Society is working with the Lower Mill Estate and the University of the West of England to study the impact of beavers on the habitat and this information will be used to guide future beaver re-introduction projects.
Beavers play a vital role in maintaining a healthy, wildlife-rich wetland ecosystem. In just three years the activity of the beavers around the lake on Lower Mill Estate has had a beneficial effect on a range of wildlife. The felling of trees has resulted in an increased number of nesting sites for breeding water birds such as Coot and Great crested grebe; an increase in the diversity of marginal vegetation which supports species such as Dragonflies; and has had a positive impact on nesting songbirds.
Beavers are entirely vegetarian and feed on leaves and bark. During the summer months they eat herbaceous and aquatic plants.
Download CWPS Beaver position statement (PDF, 22kb)
Autumn 2008
Little and large
With the falling temperatures, many of Britain?s mammals begin fattening up in order to survive the winter. In the last few weeks there has been a huge increase in the number of feeding signs left behind by some of our smallest rodents, the field and bank voles. Similarly, their much larger relations, the Eurasian beavers which are at Lower Mill Estate, are also fattening up. They have been busy felling trees so that they can feed on the bark ? they need to eat up to 2kg of bark a day! Beavers use their broad, flat tails to store fat and, at this time of year, the tail comprises 60% fat compared to around only 7% in the Spring! In very cold weather they?ll even use this fatty tail to keep their feet warm!
STOP PRESS
In June 2008 the Scottish Government announced that it has approved the application from the Scottish Wildlife Trust (SWT) and the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) to bring Eurasian beavers back to Scotland. Conditional approval has been granted for up to four beaver families to be reintroduced on a trial basis, after six months quarantine, to Knapdale in Mid-Argyll in spring 2009.
This will be the first formal re-introduction of a native mammal to the United Kingdom and has been subject to considerable research over the last ten years and has followed the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Reintroduction Guidelines. The trial will determine if beavers can thrive in the Scottish environment and will look at their impact on habitats, other species and the local economy.
For more information on the Scottish Beaver Trial log on to www.scottishbeavers.org.uk.
Did you know….?
The CWPS education team runs a unique Brilliant Beavers programme for primary age children - find out more!
