They really are incredible creatures! Last year I visited the Cornwall Beaver Project where they had been introduced with an aim to stop flooding downstream of the farmland. The engineers had quickly got to work and it’s incredible to see the little wetland they created, as well as the species that have made their home there as a result. I hadn’t realised how much they have an impact on polluted rivers too - incredible!
Thomas: I found your article to be of great interest, and the way you share the information is very effective. You would love visiting Aroostook County in northern Maine because beavers are at work everywhere. The first three stories in my Substack are set there and you might also enjoy the photos and video I included. At some point, it would be great to hear about how your London beaver colony is faring. Best, Douglas
Interesting about the impact in fire prone areas. More pros than cons me thinks. Plenty up here in Scotland as you’d say and the negatives are always over-egged.
A really enjoyable article Thomas and lovely to know that beavers are back in London.
I think your last paragraph really sums up what we should be striving for when we think about the natural world and I agree it is the only path we should take.
It was a great post, Thomas. We cannot see such an experiment in Japan since we don’t have wild beavers. Such experiments will give us chance thinking the coexistence with wild animals.
There were two Beaver reintroduction programmes the official SNH / Scottish Royal Zoological Society Argyll and the unofficial / illegal releases in the Tay basin. The latter is the area of conflict because it was much less isolated and controlled. I worked for Scottish Wild Life Trust 2004-5 when civil servants halted the Argyle Trial for spurious reasons provided to Labour Ministers. But ultimately conservation interests won over Scottish Ministers when the SNP government took office after 2007.
They really are incredible creatures! Last year I visited the Cornwall Beaver Project where they had been introduced with an aim to stop flooding downstream of the farmland. The engineers had quickly got to work and it’s incredible to see the little wetland they created, as well as the species that have made their home there as a result. I hadn’t realised how much they have an impact on polluted rivers too - incredible!
Thomas: I found your article to be of great interest, and the way you share the information is very effective. You would love visiting Aroostook County in northern Maine because beavers are at work everywhere. The first three stories in my Substack are set there and you might also enjoy the photos and video I included. At some point, it would be great to hear about how your London beaver colony is faring. Best, Douglas
That sounds amazing, I would love to take a trip there! I will do an update on the London beavers in 2025 :)
Interesting about the impact in fire prone areas. More pros than cons me thinks. Plenty up here in Scotland as you’d say and the negatives are always over-egged.
A really enjoyable article Thomas and lovely to know that beavers are back in London.
I think your last paragraph really sums up what we should be striving for when we think about the natural world and I agree it is the only path we should take.
Thanks for reading, a good opportunity for photos I think!
It was a great post, Thomas. We cannot see such an experiment in Japan since we don’t have wild beavers. Such experiments will give us chance thinking the coexistence with wild animals.
I know very little about the ecosystems of Japan, as an island nation it must be fascinating. I will do some reading!
This was superbly written, so informative and insightful. Beavers are such special beings. Now I have even more admiration.
Thanks for reading, I’m glad you found it useful!
There were two Beaver reintroduction programmes the official SNH / Scottish Royal Zoological Society Argyll and the unofficial / illegal releases in the Tay basin. The latter is the area of conflict because it was much less isolated and controlled. I worked for Scottish Wild Life Trust 2004-5 when civil servants halted the Argyle Trial for spurious reasons provided to Labour Ministers. But ultimately conservation interests won over Scottish Ministers when the SNP government took office after 2007.
Great insight, thanks for sharing!
This West London project was right near where I used to live, it was wonderful to see the impact.
What a lovely thing to live near!
That sounds brilliant, I need to get down there and check it out myself!
Beavers are brilliant and it's great to see them in London! I love that wee video.
It’s so good isn’t it!