Beaver reintroduction: Tell us what you think

[Neil Rigby]

Back on Springwatch, our Adventure Team Producer Richard Taylor-Jones blogged about the reintroduction of beavers to the UK, some of which I've quoted below. In the Christmas Special we look back at this story and update it. We’d love to know what you think about this species' return to our shores so please post a comment below.

A Knapdale beaver (Image: Scottish Wildlife Trust)

Beavers are once again living wild in the British Isles. It's an idea I've heard talked about pretty much ever since I've worked in wildlife television. But it's never come to pass, until now.

Yet in the back of my mind I know that this reintroduction of beavers onto four remote Scottish lochs by the Scottish Beaver Trial is only the beginning of a very long road if we are to see beavers back right across the British Isles.

Their presence here may only be temporary. The trial could conclude that re-introducing these animals simply won't work. It's designed to look at a whole range of issues from whether beavers are capable of surviving here and creating a sustainable population to how they will impact on fish stocks and water tables.

There are some very loud and vociferous opponents to the trial, just as there are supporters. All will have their say over the five years the beavers are being studied.

Watch the Springwatch Christmas Special 2011 at 7pm Boxing Day on BBC Two.



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