{"id":751,"date":"2022-01-19T11:42:15","date_gmt":"2022-01-19T10:42:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.countryfile.com\/?p=15763"},"modified":"2022-01-19T17:40:16","modified_gmt":"2022-01-19T16:40:16","slug":"guide-to-britains-beavers-history-reintroduction-and-best-places-to-see","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/rss_feed\/guide-to-britains-beavers-history-reintroduction-and-best-places-to-see\/","title":{"rendered":"Guide to Britain\u2019s beavers: history, reintroduction and best places to see"},"content":{"rendered":"

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By countryfile\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Wednesday, 19 January 2022 at 12:00 am<\/p>

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After becoming extinct 400 years ago, beavers have returned to Britain\u2019s rivers. While some have been reintroduced, others\u2019 origins are less clear and not all are welcomed by local people and landowners.\u00a0Record numbers of beavers were released in the UK in 2020 and 2021, in nature reserves and chalk downland. But why did beavers go extinct in the first place, how have they returned and what impact are they having on the British landscape?<\/p>\n

Here is our guide to Britain\u2019s beaver population, with a few key details regarding the history of beavers in the UK, the pros and cons of reintroducing the species, where they can be found and key characteristics.<\/p>\n

Guide to Britain\u2019s Beavers<\/h2>\n

How big are Eurasian beavers?<\/h3>\n

\u201cSize of a Labrador \u2013 well, at least a cocker spaniel,\u201d says Peter Burgess, conservation manager for Devon Wildlife Trust. They can be up to 1m long, with a 50cm tail and weigh up to 30kg (averaging about 18kg). It is the world\u2019s second largest rodent behind the capybara of South America.<\/p>\n

\""Beaver\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Eurasian beaver \/ European beaver (Castor fiber) foraging along riverbank\/Credit: Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

When did beavers become extinct in Britain?<\/h3>\n

Beavers were once native to the UK but were hunted to extinction as recently as 300-400 years ago. They were hunted as vermin, for their fur and also for their meat, which was highly prized.\u00a0The beaver was last seen in the wild in Britain in the 16th century after being heavily hunted for its pelt. They had all but died out across Europe by the 18th century.<\/p>\n

\""Beaver\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Eurasian beaver \/ European beaver (Castor fiber) on river bank entering water\/Credit: Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n
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Do beavers eat fish?<\/h3>\n<\/section><\/div>\n

No. They eat vegetation \u2013 including shoots, leaves, roots and stems of waterside vegetation and leaves. They fell trees to get at the tender foliage at the top of the tree.<\/p>\n

How fast can a beaver chop down a tree?<\/h3>\n

When editor Fergus visited the River Otter<\/a> with the Devon Wildlife Trust, he found a newly felled willow tree.\u00a0Its trunk was a foot in diameter, chiseled through in cartoon-fashion and surrounded by bright wood chips. Peter Burgess from the Trust estimated that it would take a beaver a single night to do this.<\/p>\n