On the River Otter: questions of potential parasites on BBC's Spotlight: and it's not just beavers who might be carrying EM...

Beavers are of growing interest:
Futures Forum: On the River Otter: "Beavers in Business" on Radio 4's Shared Planet

The beaver population on the River Otter is to be removed and tested - and probably returned:
Futures Forum: On the River Otter: plans to remove beavers challenged in the courts

Defra says that the beavers, which are thought to have escaped from captivity, could potentially be carrying a rare parasite tapeworm found in the European beaver, called Echinococcus Multilocularis (EM). However earlier this year Derek Gow, an independent ecologist who studies beavers, told the Independent that he feared Defra was using the threat of the rare parasite as “smokescreen” to remove the animals

Government plans to capture 'wild' Devon beavers unlawful, says Friends of the Earth - Environment - The Independent


Beavers living on the River Otter in Devon could be allowed to remain in the wild if free of disease. The government had intended to capture six beavers, test for disease and re-home them in captivity. It is unclear where the beavers came from, but campaigners say they should be allowed to stay. The government has now indicated that the beavers could be tested near the river and released if disease-free.

BBC News - Beavers on River Otter in Devon could stay free

Last night's Countryfile on BBC One had an excellent report on the beavers, interviewing the main players and covering all these issues:

The British beaver lost its battle against extinction hundreds of years ago, but now they're back on a river in Devon. However, as Tom Heap discovers, they may have brought an unwelcome visitor with them.

Devon beavers

Tom Heap tells the story of the Devon beavers, the only wild colony of beavers in England. Although members of the local Wildlife Trust are pleased to see them, Defra is concerned that these animals may have become infected by a deadly parasite, which at the moment has been kept out of the UK. Tom asks what’s going to happen to the beavers now and investigates wider concerns about the parasites that they could be carrying. 

BBC One - Countryfile, East Sussex
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