Friday 21 September 2012

BEAVERS GET THEIR OWN BLOG!

A pair of Devon beavers now have their own blog! The online messages are being released by a leading conservation charity, the Devon Wildlife Trust (DWT). The blog centres on the life and goings on of a pair of European beavers which are part of a controlled experiment being run by Devon Wildlife Trust's Working Wetlands project. The beavers live in a securely fenced 3 hectare compound in north-west Devon. The charity is monitoring their everyday lives plus the effects they are having on their compound, to its tree and scrub covering, to its ground water levels and to water quality. DWT is also keen to learn more about the impacts of beavers on wider wildlife. Beavers once lived throughout the UK including Devon and were an important part of the natural regulation of our river and stream systems. They are believed to have been hunted to extinction in the C16th. The blog is being written by volunteer Vicky Halse. Vicky has a background in studying animal behaviour and was particularly keen to learn more about the beavers, how they interact with each other and with their surroundings. Vicky said: 'Having visited the site a number of times I've been amazed by just how busy they've been. Although the beavers have only been living in their compound for little more than a year, in that time they've worked hard to enlarge their lodge (home), build small dams and construct watery pathways known as 'canals'. It looks like there will be plenty to talk about in the blog!' The project, which will measure the impact the animals have on local water quality and wildlife, has been funded by Viridor Credits Environmental Company and The Truell Charitable Foundation. To read the blog and to find out more about the beavers' progress visit the 'What we do' pages of www.devonwildlifetrust.org 
Watch video of Devon Wildlife Trust's beavers at work here:
 
 
Devon Wildlife Trust is 50 this year. Find out more about how you can get involved in our golden celebrations! http://www.devonwildlifetrust.org/50-years-of-dwt/

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