European beavers are back in the wild
February 2014: After an absence of more than 200 years a small population of European beavers, Castor fiber, has been seen wild in the English countryside.A family group of three were filmed by Tom Buckley on the River Otter in East Devon. They are believed to be the result of an escape or unsanctioned release.
It is highly significant because it strongly suggests that a small breeding population of beavers now exists outside of captivity. This would be the first time since the 18th century that European beavers had been breeding in the wild in England.
Beavers were finally hunted to extinction during the 18th century as a result of being highly valued fur, medicinal value and meat, not because they were viewed as a nuisance species.
“We believe that releases of European beavers should be properly planned. We do not support unlicensed releases of any animals or plants, says Devon wildlife Trust in a statement.
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