They're Back!

Beaver dam built in England after long absence

Beavers are back, doing what they do best.

The native beaver population in England was hunted into extinction in the 13th century, but a pair of 2-year-old beavers brought over from Germany have in the last 10 days built a dam in southwest England. It is believed to be the first time in centuries that has happened.

Conservationist John-Michael Kennaway, from the Escot Estate in Devon, said the construction of the dam is a welcome milestone in the plan to reintroduce beavers to England.

He said the dam is now about seven feet wide and three feet deep, made of dead wood, branches, mud and stones.

Beavers have been reintroduced over the past few years to Britain, but the other 15 pairs live on lakes where they do not build dams.

The two beavers live in a 2-acre enclosure that includes ponds, where the beavers have built their lodges, and part of a stream, where they are building their dam. Because it is illegal to release them into the wild in Britain, the beavers must be kept in the enclosure, Kennaway said.

"The hope is to have British stock born in Devon that could then be relocated if that was appropriate," he said.

Kennaway is confident the beavers are already doing their part to make this happen. He's seen the two beavers carrying what he called "maternity materials," softer rushes than would normally be used for construction. A maternity lodge has been built to accompany the larger family lodge and sparse "bachelor lodge" that already existed.

"We're fairly hopeful they actually have young in the lodge," Kennaway said, explaining they will know for sure if young beavers, or kits, emerge from the underwater lodge entrance later this summer, possibly in mid-July.

The two beavers were brought over from Bavaria. They were caught in the wild as part of ongoing maintenance of the beaver population in Germany, Kennaway said.

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Just a little fluff piece that if you think about it really isn't fluff at all but actually a stern commentary on the world condition and what we humans have done to it. Then again on the lighter side ... a beaver dam makes a wonderful 'swimmin' hole'!