How Britain’s beavers can help the UK’s conservation efforts
How Britain’s beavers can help the UK’s conservation efforts
- Beavers, I learn over the course of a highly enjoyable and instructive weekend in Cornwall, are more than just cheap labour: given a chance, they could play a major role in saving our environment. And Jones is a rare bird– a pioneering farmer and a director of the Beaver Trust, who advocates for the reintroduction of these buck-toothed rodents (Castor fiber, to give them their Latin name) into our rivers.
- At Jones’s Woodland Valley Farm, in a barn heady with the fragrance of mildly fermenting hay, our beaver-themed weekend begins with a presentation of some alarming ecological statistics: the 2015 floods cost Britain £5bn; more than 1 million hectares of wetlands were drained in the 1970s; only 14 per cent of our rivers are in good ecological condition. On top of this, we have lost 50 per cent of our wildlife, including keystone species and crucial pollinators, and Defra warns there are only 30-40 years of soil fertility left. The list goes on.
It was in response to these threats, that Chris Jones turned his 170-acre farm organic in 2003 – and, in 2014, conceived the Cornwall Beaver Project. Three years later he released two adult beavers into a five-acre enclosure on his land. “By building dams, beavers regulate water flow, thereby reducing risk of flood and drought,” explains Chris. “They slow the flow of water and improve water quality as harmful nitrates and phosphates settle into the sediment. The wetlands they create also capture three times more carbon than drier meadows – and can create natural fire-breaks.
The wetlands, moreover, support ecosystems where other species can flourish.
© Elliot McCandless: A Cornish beaver dragging Japanese knotweed
By building dams, beavers regulate water flow, thereby reducing risk of flood and drought. They slow the flow of water and improve water quality
Chris Jones
Chris now has five of the creatures beavering away on his land. We walk through the woods to see the effect of their work over the past four years, seeing huge piles of sticks, branches and stones piled higgledy-piggledy into porous dams that allow both water and fish to pass through. Now solid as bridges, the dams support vegetation on their surface. Pools have also formed above them, while the streams have expanded their course to create wetlands. The area – with dappled sunlight falling through the tangle of wild vegetation – is alive with birdsong and fresh plant growth.
All around, we see evidence of the beavers’ industrious carpentry: trees teeter precariously, their trunks chopped into X-shapes with axe-like precision by the beavers’ bright orange, iron-clad teeth. Willows – the beavers’ favourite food – are stripped of their bark. Gnaw-marks, like chiselled notches, abound.
The reintroduction of beavers is not without controversy. “People complain that beavers destroy trees, but this is natural coppicing – a traditional method of woodland management,” says Chris in defence of the project. “Beavers need trees and would not destroy their own habitat – they are excellent at environmental management.”
Some anglers complain that beavers eat the fish they’d otherwise catch. “A common misconception, thanks to CS Lewis’ Chronicles of Narnia,” laughs James Wallace, chief executive of the Beaver Trust, who accompanies us. They are in fact entirely vegetarian. Which is not to say there are not real concerns here, too.
“Farmers fear for their crops and their livelihoods,” explains James. He sees it as part of the trust’s role to support landowners and mitigate the more troublesome impact of beavers. “We consult with local parties – farmers, fisheries, foresters – listen to their concerns, and encourage a balanced dynamic between humans and nature.”
Merlin Hanbury-Tenison, the owner of Cabilla – an estate on Bodmin Moor that hosts regular retreats – takes things even further. “We aim to restore our 200 acres of farmland to its natural state of equilibrium, as it was before human intervention,” he tells me, adding: “Beavers are the first step in our strategy”. That’s why, a year ago, he welcomed Sigourney Beaver and Jean-Claude van Dam onto his land.
Our group spends a night glamping in chic tents on his estate before Hanbury-Tenison leads us on a dawn walk through woodlands to Cabilla’s beaver enclosure. They have already created dams on its streams, and my hope was to meet these crepuscular creatures at work – hauling logs with their front teeth and staggering under the weight of rocks in their paws. But their night’s work is done – Sigourney, when we find her, is happily playing with her kits in the pool she has created, surrounded by an idyllic forest of willow, rowan and oak.
The area – with dappled sunlight falling through the tangle of wild vegetation – is alive with birdsong and fresh plant growth
At present, beavers are protected in Scotland but not in England, where there could be up to 500 living in five river catchments. It is not currently permitted to release them into the wild. But their future is looking rosy. “It is hoped beavers will be protected and welcomed back into the wilds of England, under licence, next year,” says Wallace. On 25 September the government announced a programme to incentivise farmers to create nature corridors along rivers, which will give space for beavers to continue their ecological engineering. For Wallace, the move can’t come quickly enough: “We are in a climate and extinction emergency, and it is time for us to work with each other, alongside nature.”
Travel essentials
Visitors who want to experience the Cornwall Beaver Project can take a two-hour tour of Woodland Valley Farm, near Truro, for £20pp, then stay overnight at Cabilla.
The tents are now closed at Cabilla but guests can book into the new cabins (ready for April) from £165 per night. There is also a two-bed cottage available between now and then from £160 per night (from September to March). Cottage prices increase to £190 per night from April to August. There is a two-night minimum stay.
Reference: Independent: Teresa Levonian Cole
Eleven lions at Denver Zoo test positive for Covid after keepers saw them coughing and sneezing
Eleven lions at Denver Zoo test positive for Covid after keepers saw them coughing and sneezing
At least 11 African lions at Denver Zoo have tested positive for the delta variant of Covid-19 after keepers spotted them coughing and sneezing , officials have confirmed.
The animals are aged between one and nine-years-old and none of them have been vaccinated against the virus, say zoo bosses.
“There have been a number of big cats to come down with COVID-19 at zoos throughout the country, including our two tigers, Yuri and Nikita,” said Brian Aucone, Senior Vice President for Life Sciences for the Zoo.
“Fortunately, the vast majority have fully recovered, and the upside is that there’s an established knowledge base for us to draw from to help treat our animals.
“We’ve been in touch with other zoos that have also recently managed COVID cases in their big cats to inform the care we’re providing.”
Colorado State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory in Fort Collins conducted swab tests of the lions.
© Denver Zoo: Eleven lions at Denver Zoo test positive for Covid after keepers saw them coughing and sneezing
The results were also confirmed positive by the United States Department of Agriculture’s National Veterinary Services Laboratories.
“Animal care and veterinarians describe their symptoms as relatively mild at this point, and are closely monitoring and treating the lions individually as needed,” zoo officials said in a statement.
Officials say it is not clear how the animals contracted the virus.
“It could be somebody that was asymptomatic, and we just never knew. It’s a bit of a mystery how they contracted it,” said Mr Aucone.
It comes just two weeks after a pair of tigers at the zoo tested positive for Covid-19.
The two 11-year-old Amur tigers, Yuri and Nikita, were the first animals at the zoo to be diagnosed with the virus.
“Our veterinarians are planning to vaccinate them along with the tigers as soon as more doses of the animal-specific Zoetis vaccine become available,” added the zoo.
The zoo said it has had several protective measures in place, including use of personal protective equipment, hygiene, cleaning, employee self-screening and health management.
Millions of large Asian spiders take hold in Georgia – and scientists aren’t sure why
Millions of large Asian spiders take hold in Georgia – and scientists aren’t sure why
Millions of large spiders that are native to East Asia have weaved their golden webs across the US state of Georgia after their numbers exploded this year.
The Joro spider, which is a palm-sized arachnid, is part of the orb weaver group and is common in Japan, China, Korea and Taiwan.
It is not known when the spiders first arrived in the US, but a researcher found one in 2014 about 80 miles north of Atlanta.
“The webs are a real mess,” said Will Hudson, an entomologist at the University of Georgia, told the Associated Press.
“Nobody wants to come out of the door in the morning, walk down the steps and get a face full of spider web.”
© AP The Joro spider, a large spider native to East Asia, is seen in Johns Creek, Ga., on Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021.
The female spiders have bright red, blue and yellow markings and they can measure three inches when fully extended, but scientists say they are unsure why their population has dramatically increased this year.
“We see natural ebbs and flows in the populations of many different species that may be linked to local conditions, particularly slight changes in rainfall,” said Paula Cushing, an arachnologist at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science.
Experts say the spider is not a threat to humans, or pets such as dogs and cats, and won’t bite unless threatened.
Nancy Hinkle, also an entomologist at the University of Georgia, said Joro spiders kill off mosquitos and biting flies, as well as brown marmorated stink bugs, which damage crops.
“This is wonderful. This is exciting. Spiders are our friends. They are out there catching all the pests we don’t want around our home.”
But not everyone is impressed.
Debbie Gilbert, 67, says she has a zero-tolerance policy for Joro spiders at her home in Norcross, Georgia.
“I don’t advocate killing anything. I live in peace with all the spiders around here and everything else. But Joros just don’t belong here, that’s all.”
Christopher Brown, a biology professor at Georgia Gwinnett College, suspects the spider has thrived in Georgia because its hot and humid climate is similar to that of countries like Japan.
“I don’t think they’re going anywhere,” said Mr Brown.
The Associated Press contributed to this story
Polar bear gets root canal surgery to fix 'very painful' broken tooth at wildlife park
Polar bear gets root canal surgery to fix 'very painful' broken tooth at wildlife park
A polar bear with a "very painful" broken tooth underwent dental surgery at a popular wildlife park.
Keepers at Yorkshire Wildlife Park, in Doncaster, became concerned after noticing one of Sisu's three-inch canine teeth was broken.
The three-year-old polar bear was operated on for an hour by animal dentist Dr Peter Kertesz to clear the infected root canal to prevent an abscess from growing.
Dr Kertesz said the 600kg animal will now have a "pain and infection free tooth for the rest of his life".
He said: "It was wonderful that the keepers have been so observant and attentive to the animals, and noticed this.
"I was glad we operated swiftly because a broken tooth can lead to severe infection and be very painful."
Dr Kertesz carried out the tooth root filling along with dental nurse Monika Mazurkiewicz and a vet specialised in the use of anaesthetics.
© PA Polar bear Flocke also welcomed three cubs at Yorkshire Wildlife Park in June this year
He added: "It was a standard procedure, where we cleaned out the infected root canal of the canine tooth, which was over three inches long, and filled it.
"Sisu will now have a pain and infection free tooth for the rest of his life.
"After the operation, Sisu was standing very quickly, but he was kept in his den to recover fully."
Charlotte McDonald, the wildlife park's director of animals, later confirmed that Sisu is now "fully recovered".
The park's official Twitter account posted a video of the operation along with the caption: "What happens when a Polar Bear has tooth ache?
"He goes to the dentist of course!
"Step behind-the-scenes to watch Sisu the Polar Bear make his very first visit to the see dentist!"
The wildlife park is known for being the home of a number of polar bears.
One of the polar bears named Flocke delighted animal lovers after being pictured with three new cubs back in June this year.
Last year, the park also said goodbye to the country's oldest polar bear, Victor, who died at the age of 22 after developing terminal kidney failure.
Reference: Sky News: Rachel Russell, news reporter
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