Futures Forum: On the River Otter: First ever video of a wild beaver in England
... although there had been the very first sightings a couple of years before that:
Futures Forum: On the River Otter: First ever video of a wild beaver in England... but two and a half years ago...
This now seems to have come to the attention of DEFRA, which is considering the option of 'culling' these beavers:
JAMIE MERRILL
Tuesday 20 May 2014
The first confirmed sighting of wild beavers in England in hundreds of years delighted environmentalists.
But now the future of the family of beavers caught on film in the River Otter in Devon in February looks perilous, as campaigners fear the Government is drawing up plans to trap and cull them.
There have been huge successes reintroducing the dam-building mammals in Scotland in recent years, but campaigners say the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) is in danger of sending the animal “back to the stone age” with its approach in England.
The Independent understands the warning from campaigners came after Defra contacted quango Natural England to investigate the beaver population at the Devon site and contacted experts to discuss “health screening work”, with one option on the table being a trap and cull policy.
Derek Gow, an independent ecologist who studies beavers, said he feared Defra was using the threat of a rare parasite tapeworm found in the European beaver, called Echinococcus Multilocularis (EM), as a “smokescreen” to remove the three animals found in Devon.
Beavers can host the destructive parasite, which is common in central Europe, but the origin of the beavers on the River Otter isn’t known and trapping and testing may be difficult, traumatic, and kill any young, says Gow.
A spokesperson for the animal charity PETA said: “The mere suggestion that we should kill beavers in one part of the country while reintroducing them in another is absurd. We’ve already seen with the badger slaughter how the Government’s kneejerk and trigger-happy responses to wildlife issues work out.”.
Roison Campbell-Palmer, who is part of a Royal Zoological Society of Scotland team running a five-year long trial to reintroduce beavers to the Scottish Highlands, added that there was only “a very small chance” that the animals Devon had been imported from high-risk EM areas, while other environmentalists point to a 2012 Defra report which found the risk of transmission of the parasite to UK wildlife was “very low”.
“Trapping and culling these animals would be an appalling thing to do. The risk of this parasite is very small as it is only found in directly imported adult animals,” said Mr Gow, who is a committee member of the Beaver Advisory Committee for England. “The real reason Defra wants to trap them or kill them has nothing to do with beavers… it’s to do with pressure from a small minority of angling organisations. “
The Angling Trust says its members need more beavers “like we need a hole in the head” and maintains that its members have the “right” to shoot them as an invasive species. Mark Lloyd, the body’s chief executive, said: “The release of these beavers has not been formally sanctioned and they should be removed.”
In the village of Ottery St Mary, on the River Otter, locals are appalled at the rumoured Defra plans. District councillor Clair Wright said the animals had been “universally welcomed” and that she was “horrified” as the prospect of trapping or a cull. David Lawrence, whose farms sits alongside the animal’s lodge, told The Independent that he “would not allow Defra to destroy the animals”.
A Defra spokesperson, said: “Beavers have not been an established part of our wildlife for the last 500 years. Our landscape and habitats have changed since then and we need to assess the impact they could have.
“There are no plans whatsoever to cull beavers. We are currently working out plans for the best way forward and any decision will be made with the welfare of the beavers in mind.”
After the badger cull, is Defra planning to kill Devon’s beavers? - Environment - The Independent
Does DEFRA intend to kill the beavers living on the Otter? - Claire Wright
Villagers in Ottery St Mary vow to protect beavers | Western Morning News
First badgers now Defra sets sights on beavers on River Otter in Devon | Western Daily Press
Earlier today, Cllr Claire Wright contacted the Rt Hon Hugo Swire MP:
Hugo Swire urged to act over possible Ottery beaver cull
Wednesday, 21 May 2014 0 Comments by Claire
Below is the email I have sent to Hugo Swire, asking for his support over a possible DEFRA move to cull the family of beavers living on the Otter….
Dear Hugo
Please see the above story from today’s Independent newspaper.
It is scandalous that DEFRA may be considering killing the beavers living on the Otter, for such a suspiciously spurious reason.
The beavers have been a source of delight to residents, many of whom have been concerned for the welfare of the animals, especially as news of them living here has reached the national media.
I have walked that stretch of the river many times and they have not made any noticeable negative impact on the environment. Devon Wildlife Trust intends to monitor them - and you will be aware that in other parts of the country that beavers are being deliberately introduced because they are, after all, a native species that were hunted to extinction hundreds of years ago for their fur. They are completely vegetarian, living on grasses and aquatic plants.
The landowner is happy that they are living on his land and does not want them harmed.
The story in the Independent, which I trust that you will look into - and hopefully confirm is a misunderstanding, states that the reason that DEFRA is considering a cull, is that there is a small risk that the animals may be carrying a parasite. I have noted the cynicism on this point from Mr Gow.
I have spoken to many people in and around Ottery about the beavers over the last few months and I can confirm that while them living on the Otter was unplanned, the animals are very affectionately regarded. News of a possible cull will shock local residents and will cause considerable anger and opposition.
I very much hope that you can seek immediate assurances from Mr Paterson that the story is incorrect and that the beavers will not be harmed.
Please see the above story from today’s Independent newspaper.
It is scandalous that DEFRA may be considering killing the beavers living on the Otter, for such a suspiciously spurious reason.
The beavers have been a source of delight to residents, many of whom have been concerned for the welfare of the animals, especially as news of them living here has reached the national media.
I have walked that stretch of the river many times and they have not made any noticeable negative impact on the environment. Devon Wildlife Trust intends to monitor them - and you will be aware that in other parts of the country that beavers are being deliberately introduced because they are, after all, a native species that were hunted to extinction hundreds of years ago for their fur. They are completely vegetarian, living on grasses and aquatic plants.
The landowner is happy that they are living on his land and does not want them harmed.
The story in the Independent, which I trust that you will look into - and hopefully confirm is a misunderstanding, states that the reason that DEFRA is considering a cull, is that there is a small risk that the animals may be carrying a parasite. I have noted the cynicism on this point from Mr Gow.
I have spoken to many people in and around Ottery about the beavers over the last few months and I can confirm that while them living on the Otter was unplanned, the animals are very affectionately regarded. News of a possible cull will shock local residents and will cause considerable anger and opposition.
I very much hope that you can seek immediate assurances from Mr Paterson that the story is incorrect and that the beavers will not be harmed.
If this is not the case and DEFRA confirms that it is pursuing this course of action, I would like to know who has influenced this decision - and I hope that the residents of Ottery can rely on your support to oppose any cull.
I look forward to hearing from you as soon as possible.
best wishes
Claire
Hugo Swire urged to act over possible Ottery beaver cull - Claire Wright.best wishes
Claire
East Devon MP called upon to intervene in River Otter beaver argument | Exeter Express and Echo
However, DEFRA has now issued this statement:
A Defra spokesman said: “Beavers have not been an established part of our wildlife for the last 500 years. Our landscape and habitats have changed since then and we need to assess the impact they could have.
“There are no plans whatsoever to cull beavers. We are currently working out plans for the best way forward and any decision will be made with the welfare of the beavers in mind.”
.
..
.
.
No comments:
Post a Comment