The trial reintroduction of Eurasian beaver into the River Otter in Devon
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- Monitoring points:
- Species observations:
Test project
No
Project summary
A campaign by local residents to ‘save their beavers’ ( escaped population living wild on the lower reaches of the River Otter) resulted in a compromise being negotiated between Devon Wildlife Trust (DWT) and Defra, and the 5-year River Otter Beaver Trial (ROBT) was conceived. In former times, European beaver (Castor fiber) was common in Europe. However, by 1900 populations were deduced due to hunting and habitat losses. This project had the aim to reintroduced and reinforced populations of the European beaver located at the river Otter, Devon.
Overall aim
To establish a healthy population of Eurasian beavers into a lowland English river catchment;
To demonstrate that beavers will have a positive impact on the ecological health of the river system and associated riparian land;
To demonstrate that the beavers and their impacts will, on balance, be regarded by the local community and stakeholders as tolerable / positive.
To demonstrate that beavers will have a positive impact on the ecological health of the river system and associated riparian land;
To demonstrate that the beavers and their impacts will, on balance, be regarded by the local community and stakeholders as tolerable / positive.
Name of species translocated
Castor fiber
How many species?
1
Monitoring form type
Translocation generic records
Project timeline
The project started in 2015 when an escaped population was found living in the river Otter. In 2019, 13 territories were established and only three mortalities recorded. In 2020, 15 territories were recorded. The project is still ongoing.
Funding body
Devon Wildlife Trust
Project team - organisational or group members
Mark Elliott
Devon Wildlife Trust
River Otter Beaver
Devon Wildlife Trust
River Otter Beaver
Country
England
Images
Species
Species benefits
Improved national status of species
Improved genetic diversity of species
Ecosystem benefits
Improved habitat structure
Scientific benefits
Improve translocation practice
Biological risk assessment
Distance of the translocation
Site