[ad_1]
Beavers have returned to Dorset after being extinct in the area for around 400 years.
As a part of a conservation project, two adult beavers have been relocated from Scotland to an eight-acre woodland enclosure near the Mapperton Estate in west Dorset.
The male and female beavers were welcomed with a purpose-built lodge home and a feast of apples.
Ben Padwick, ranger and keeper at Mapperton Estate, said: “It’s been very exciting preparing for the beavers to arrive.
“I have been busy clearing the old pheasant pen, creating dams, and even building them a home – and we are delighted to see them using it!”
“We are looking forward to seeing their positive impact on the landscape and to giving guided tours around the enclosure to members of the public.
“It’s an incredible achievement for all the team and everyone involved with the project. Releasing a keystone species back here at Mapperton Wildlands is a huge milestone for us, especially as they have been absent from the landscape for such a long time.”
Beavers are native to Britain yet were hunted to extinction
(Getty Images/iStockphoto)
Beavers are a species native to Britain yet were hunted to extinction around 400 years ago as they were prized for their fur, meat and castoreum glands which were used for medicinal and cosmetic purposes.
They help in conserving landscapes and alleviate floods due to their natural dam-building skills.
In Devon, the animals were returned to the River Otter in 2008 as a part of a five-year study which proved successful after the land where the beavers lived remained a lush green, while adjacent land turned a parched yellow amid hot, dry weather conditions.
Beavers dam-making abilities helped to alleviate floods and converse landscapes amidst hot, dry weather
(Getty Images)
Luke Montagu, Viscount Hinchingbrooke of the Mapperton Estate, said: “The arrival of beavers is a major milestone for our rewilding project Mapperton Wildlands. They are such impressive animals and within a few days have already got to work building dams and creating new wetland.
“And while we recognise that they can cause problems when not properly managed, our beavers are safely contained in a well-constructed enclosure.
“We really look forward to inviting visitors to come and see the positive impact they will have on the landscape over the coming months and years.”
[ad_2]
Source link
