NationStates Jolt Archive

Beavers 'could thrive in England'

Beavers could be successfully reintroduced in many parts of England, a conservation body has argued.

Natural England says a study has shown beavers, already set for reintroduction in Scotland, could boost wildlife and reduce flooding, among other benefits.

It is now up to wildlife charities and other groups to decide whether they would like to embark on such a scheme.

Farmers say landowners' concerns must be taken into account. Beavers were hunted to extinction in the 1500s.

'Ecosystem engineers'

They were prized for their fur, their meat and their scent glands, which were used for pain-relieving medicine.

A planned reintroduction of beavers is set to take place in Scotland later this year and a feasibility study is being carried out in Wales.

The creatures have already been successfully reintroduced in parts of Europe and the feasibility study for Natural England, which advises the government on conservation issues, and the People's Trust for Endangered Species said reintroduction could be possible in many parts of England.

Professor John Gurnell, one of the report's authors, said beavers acted as "ecosystem engineers" and could provide many benefits.
BEAVER FACTS
# Beavers are the largest rodent native to Europe with adults weighing 18-20kg and body length of up to 1m
# They are mainly nocturnal eating a very wide range of plants and tree bark - especially willow
# The creatures usually live for seven or eight years but have been known to live for up to 25 years
# They prefer burrows in river banks as their nesting place but will build lodges of piled logs when this is not possible

They sometimes build dams to stabilise the water levels around their burrows and channels for foraging, which can slow rivers and control flooding, purify water and increase the number of plant and animal species in the habitat.

Prof Gurnell said: "The potential for them to give benefits to the country at large is quite enormous. They can boost water quality, alleviate the effects of flooding and raise river levels during drought."

He said some people feared beavers would cause damage to crops, trees or fishponds, spread disease, damage angling or affect wildlife.

But he said "most negative effects are probably more minor than major", limited to some damage to smaller trees, streams and fish ponds, which could be easily dealt with.

He added there was no evidence beavers spread disease.

'Exit strategy'

Natural England has received no requests for a reintroduction scheme.

It said any project would take several years to come to fruition and local communities would need to be consulted before beavers returned to English waterways.
“ The plan must include a clear idea of any long-term potential economic and physical impacts on the English landscape, including flood risk or potential for disease transmission ”
National Farmers' Union

Natural England's chief scientist, Tom Tew, said: "Beavers could have a range of environment benefits but could only be introduced under the right conditions."

Although beavers are not "aquatic rats" and would not breed quickly, any scheme would also need an "exit strategy" , he added.

Andrea Graham, from the National Farmers' Union, said the costs of reintroducing the species would need to be carefully considered.

"The plan must include a clear idea of any long-term potential economic and physical impacts on the English landscape, including flood risk or, crucially, any potential for disease transmission which becomes more relevant as new and emerging exotic diseases continue to threaten our native animals and wildlife," she said.

The costs of reintroduction seemed a "costly luxury" in the current economic climate, she added.

Source (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7949733.stm)

I, for one, welcome our new Beaver overlords! So reintroduction? Good? Bad? Ugly? Also which creature do you think would be good for your local ecosystem or which creature do you want introduced to your ecosystem, just for the lulz?

Anyway

I am also keen on reintroducing the European Lynx. But then I also want wolves and bears back.

Could I get one as a pet?

If so: Yes.

introduce the panther into Britain for the lulz.

And elephants into the Outback.

introduce the panther into Britain for the lulz.

And elephants into the Outback.

Oh noes! (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/4370893.stm)

Apparently they're already here...

Oh noes! (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/4370893.stm)

Apparently they're already here...

Yay! :D

introduce the panther into Britain for the lulz.

You clearly haven't heard of the beast of Bodmin Moor then.

mmmmmm ... beaver. that's some good eating.

but I guess that's how they went extinct in England in the first place?

I am also keen on reintroducing the European Lynx. But then I also want wolves and bears back.

I hear the woolly mammoth did quite well there, at some time.

And while we're at it, let's revive some dinosaurs and make a theme park around them, before releasing them into the wild!

Eh... waddayamean, old news? :p

I hear the woolly mammoth did quite well there, at some time.

And while we're at it, let's revive some dinosaurs and make a theme park around them, before releasing them into the wild!

Eh... waddayamean, old news? :p

Nah I just want to some large predators to keep the yokel population in check.

mmmmmm ... beaver. that's some good eating.

but I guess that's how they went extinct in England in the first place?

No they were exterminated by the Puritans in an effort to prevent double entendres.

This is a complete lie

No they were exterminated by the Puritans in an effort to prevent double entendres.

strange then, they exterminated them in the UK and didn't exterminate them here when they came? or maybe they just liked having a nice bit of beaver on the side, from time to time?

if i can hunt them i am game.

if i can hunt them i am game.

If you are game we can hunt you.

mmmmmm ... beaver. that's some good eating.

but I guess that's how they went extinct in England in the first place?

They probably went extinct because all of the trees/woodlands were used up for ship building.

at least they dont bite.

they are annoying little buggers that cut trees down and dam up streams that you dont want dammed. then when you break the dam they cut down more trees to make a new one.

at least they dont bite.

they are annoying little buggers that cut trees down and dam up streams that you dont want dammed. then when you break the dam they cut down more trees to make a new one.
Apparently the European variety don't so that as much as the American kind do, at least not except in significantly colder cllimates than England (generally) has...

Apparently the European variety don't so that as much as the American kind do, at least not except in significantly colder cllimates than England (generally) has...
at least you can hope so.

where are they getting the beavers from?

I am also keen on reintroducing the European Lynx. But then I also want wolves and bears back.

I know bears have been extinct from some European countries for some time but are they all gone?

And wolves?

What have you people done over there?

I know bears have been extinct from some European countries for some time but are they all gone?

And wolves?

What have you people done over there?

There are still bears and wolves in some areas of Europe, Belarus for example.

at least you can hope so.

where are they getting the beavers from?

Between the legs...

There are still bears and wolves in some areas of Europe, Belarus for example.

I'm glad.

Between the legs...

That was my first thought too.

I am also keen on reintroducing the European Lynx. But then I also want wolves and bears back.

Yay.

There are still bears and wolves in some areas of Europe, Belarus for example.

Italy and former Yugoslavia also. Bears and wolves.

I know bears have been extinct from some European countries for some time but are they all gone?

And wolves?

What have you people done over there?

He means back in England.

He means back in England.

When were there bears in England?

When were there bears in England?

Until about a thousand years ago or so.

Until about a thousand years ago or so.

Woah, even before the Normans had control of England. Never knew that.

Woah, even before the Normans had control of England. Never knew that.

What do the Normans have to do with it?

What do the Normans have to do with it?

William the Conqueror invaded and took control of England in 1066. That was less then a thousand years ago, I was simply putting some perspective on it.

William the Conqueror invaded and took control of England in 1066. That was less then a thousand years ago, I was simply putting some perspective on it.

Oh right. I thought you might be suggesting that the Normans brought bears across with them. Thanks for clarifying.

You can probably get a few dozen if you ask nice. Of course they would be North American for a little while until they settled in.

How about a few Black Bears as well they are mostly harmless. They mostly come around on garbage day. Your average dog could chase one away.

Oh right. I thought you might be suggesting that the Normans brought bears across with them. Thanks for clarifying.

lol, no I am not as stupid as that

How about a few Black Bears as well they are mostly harmless. They mostly come around on garbage day. Your average dog could chase one away.

We'd be more likely to reintroduce brown bears.

lol, no I am not as stupid as that

Sure you're not. :p

Between the legs...

well, that took the double right out of my entendre.

;)

You clearly haven't heard of the beast of Bodmin Moor then.
I have. I don't want him/her to be lonely that's all.

at least you can hope so.

where are they getting the beavers from?

Norway

How about a few Black Bears as well they are mostly harmless. They mostly come around on garbage day. Your average dog could chase one away.

Only place I would think in England would be the lakes district. Outside of that Scotland would be good for bears.

http://www.tshirtbordello.com/images/nice-beaver-lg.gif

This seems like one of those plans that wouldn't end well. Up there with introducing African animals into the American southwest.

http://www.tshirtbordello.com/images/nice-beaver-lg.gif

This seems like one of those plans that wouldn't end well. Up there with introducing African animals into the American southwest.

I am all for the introduction of Elephants, Zebra and Giraffe in the American heartlands. Would make them a little more interesting.

I am all for the introduction of Elephants, Zebra and Giraffe in the American heartlands. Would make them a little more interesting.
It's more the lion and cheetah that concern me.

Though, given that I don't live in that area, it would make for more interesting news without much risk to myself...

I am all for the introduction of Elephants, Zebra and Giraffe in the American heartlands. Would make them a little more interesting.

I've seen zebra a few different places. No giraffe, though.

If we're still guessing why England doesn't have beavers, my guess would be something to do with the Dutch. First, because 18th century English had an inexplicable (to me) hatred of the Dutch, and second, because the Dutch were supposed to have drained most of England's swamps and ponds about then. Swamps and ponds have water. Beavers like water. Coincidence? Probably.

I've seen zebra a few different places. No giraffe, though.

If we're still guessing why England doesn't have beavers, my guess would be something to do with the Dutch. First, because 18th century English had an inexplicable (to me) hatred of the Dutch, and second, because the Dutch were supposed to have drained most of England's swamps and ponds about then. Swamps and ponds have water. Beavers like water. Coincidence? Probably.

Despite my earlier lie about it being an effort to reduce double entendres, I think the popularity of Beaver fur felt hats would also have an impact.

http://www.tshirtbordello.com/images/nice-beaver-lg.gif

This seems like one of those plans that wouldn't end well. Up there with introducing African animals into the American southwest.


interesting flag, is that supposed to be a young Teddy Roosevelt with that very attractive beaver?

of course it doesn't matter, many men would be glad to have such an attractive beaver on his lap.

interesting flag, is that supposed to be a young Teddy Roosevelt with that very attractive beaver?

of course it doesn't matter, many men would be glad to have such an attractive beaver on his lap.

Clearly this scene would be improved with the addition of another attractive beaver. In fact it would really do well with a couple on his knees and others gathered around listening attentively.

What? Are these people fucking insane? Let them go gracefully. Leave nature alone. Haven't we done enough (in places like Australia for example)? Arrogant meddling in nature to try to preserve it in some stupid way will only cause more problems. Mother Nature is one cold-hearted bitch and when she says it's time to go, it's fucking time to go.

What? Are these people fucking insane? Let them go gracefully. Leave nature alone. Haven't we done enough (in places like Australia for example)? Arrogant meddling in nature to try to preserve it in some stupid way will only cause more problems. Mother Nature is one cold-hearted bitch and when she says it's time to go, it's fucking time to go.

What was done in Australia to preserve the enviroment?

You know, it's shows I read too much NSG:

I see a thread entiteld "Nice Beaver" and know that it must be talking about beavers (the animal).

Then, I see a thread entitled "Social and Cultural Norms in the Modern World", and I know it's a sex thread.

What was done in Australia to preserve the enviroment?
Some jackass brought a bunch of rabbits along with him during his exile and they turned into one of he biggest fucking pests on the original Rock. In response to this emerging menace the Assies decided to introduce fox and feral cats in the hopes that they would kill Peter Cottontail but that didn't work out so well.

Some jackass brought a bunch of rabbits along with him during his exile and they turned into one of he biggest fucking pests on the original Rock. In response to this emerging menace the Assies decided to introduce fox and feral cats in the hopes that they would kill Peter Cottontail but that didn't work out so well.

Not as bad as releasing semi-criminal feral cockneys....

I am also keen on reintroducing the European Lynx. But then I also want wolves and bears back.

With the number of Bears, Deer, and Coyote where I live wolves should be reintroduced. Wolves will compete with both bears and coyotes for food, lowering the populations, and will feed on deer... lowering the population. When deer start causing 20 deaths a year in a rural area from car accidents there is a problem.

Only place I would think in England would be the lakes district. Outside of that Scotland would be good for bears.

The Pennines could probably deal with bears as well.

When deer start causing 20 deaths a year in a
rural area from car accidents there is a problem.Yeah. Too many cars...

What? Are these people fucking insane? Let them go gracefully. Leave nature alone. Haven't we done enough (in places like Australia for example)? Arrogant meddling in nature to try to preserve it in some stupid way will only cause more problems. Mother Nature is one cold-hearted bitch and when she says it's time to go, it's fucking time to go.

Why should we let that stop us? Austrailia has Duck billed platypuses. I think Mother nature is already confused down there. Let's introduce a whole new species with no natural predictors and see what happens beside what is the worst thing that can happen? We should bring back the dinosaurs as well.

Don't let Mother Nature push us around.

.

The Pennines could probably deal with bears as well.

Aye, well while we are at it lets let a few hungry kodiak's loose in the house of commons.

Was the Beaver an extinct species in England? If that's the case, I think it's good to reintroduce a species that the idiot-species-of-them-all have extincted for their pitiful desires. No bonus to anyone who gets the reference. And yes, I am part of that species.

We should bring back the dinosaurs as well.Only if we get humans out, yeah totally agree :p