djm4_lj: (Wallace)
djm4_lj ([personal profile] djm4_lj) wrote2005-10-27 10:05 am
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Beavers

Six European beavers to be reintroduced to Gloucestershire. This is pretty cool, I think; in general, I'm in favour of reintroducing species that we used to have in this country unless they're obviously a pest. I love seeing red kites in more areas of Oxfordshire, for example.

Mind you, I can't help but feel that the person who wrote:

"...the beavers could also help keep waterways clear of debris."

has inexplicably forgotten the thing that beavers are best known for.

(In case you're thinking that maybe it's only the North American beaver that builds dams, this page suggests otherwise).
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[identity profile] ravenevermore.livejournal.com 2005-10-27 09:26 am (UTC)(link)
South Cerney is an excellent area to reintroduce them too. Lots of wildlife reserves etc nearby. Quite a quiet area as well....

[identity profile] drdoug.livejournal.com 2005-10-27 09:44 am (UTC)(link)
Yes, I heard the same seemingly-strage quote on the radio this morning.

I can imagine ways it could conceivably be true, though. Maybe beaver dams act as filters on rivers, so that debris that would otherwise accumulate all along the river bank is caught instead in the beaver's dam. Or maybe their nibbling habits keep the river margins clearer and more free-flowing.
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[personal profile] djm4 2005-10-27 10:21 am (UTC)(link)
Yes, I can think of several ways in which it might be true, too. But I I think that it's such a counter-intuitive thing to say that it deserves more elaboration, especially as the point was supposed to be how much less destructive the European beaver is than its American cousin.

[identity profile] drdoug.livejournal.com 2005-10-27 02:00 pm (UTC)(link)
it's such a counter-intuitive thing to say that it deserves more elaboration

I think you're right there. I'm now itching to know if it is indeed true, and how - and it's not instantly evident to me from a quick web trawl!

[identity profile] dk-leathers.livejournal.com 2005-10-27 12:10 pm (UTC)(link)
that's really lovely :)

[identity profile] dreamsewing.livejournal.com 2005-10-27 01:00 pm (UTC)(link)
yay beavers! Though I prefer otters, t'aint nuthin' cuter than otters playing.
Did they have a "welcome Home" party? It's a fine day when a species gets re-introduced, especially when they get back into their own niche of enhancing/protecting their environs. Me,I'm waiting for the re-introduction of the Dodo.
Smiled at this post, though it has had the unfortunate side effect of triggering the "mam's big brown beaver" song in my head. ;>
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