Beavers released at secret East Devon location

England's only breeding wild population of beavers has grown thanks to the release of two further animals at a secret location in East Devon. One adult female and one adult male beaver were released on Monday evening on private land close to the River Otter. The release was sanctioned by Natural England and was made by Devon Wildlife Trust as part of the River Otter Beaver Trial - a five year project being led by the charity which is studying the impact of England's only wild beaver population.

Devon Wildlife Trust's Peter Burgess was overseeing the operation and explained why the release of more beavers was made:

"There are already 12 beavers known to be living on the River Otter. Our DNA analysis has shown that these animals are closely related to one another. The genetic diversity of the beavers needed to be increased to ensure that we have a healthy population. So tonight's release was a crucial and exciting next step in the story of reintroducing this keystone species back to the wild, restoring our river catchments. We're very happy with how it went."

Peter continued:

"This pair of beavers may move down river to mix and then breed with the existing population very soon, or they may decide to stay-put, pair up and breed. Then it will be their offspring which mix and mate with the other beavers. Either way the outcome will be the same; the genetic diversity of beavers living wild in East Devon will have been enriched. That is our goal."

The female beaver of the pair was sourced from Devon Wildlife Trust's own captive beaver trial near Okehampton. The three year old was described as being in 'good health and ready to start a new family' by Devon Wildlife Trust. The male is of a similar age and was sourced from a captive breeding programme based in Devon run by renowned beaver expert, Derek Gow.

Devon Wildlife Trust's Peter Burgess said:

"This release site is the best we looked at. It's quiet and undisturbed. The ponds are perfect, while they are just a stone's throw from the river. I want to thank the landowner, a local family who have allowed us to use their land. Without their help this couldn't have happened. We've deliberately not revealed the exact location of the site because we want the beavers to be left undisturbed while they get used to their new surroundings."

Devon Wildlife Trust plans to monitor the progress of the beavers over the coming weeks. Their new home has been equipped with cameras, allowing the charity to get vital insights into beaver behaviour.

Peter Burgess said:

"We will have very privileged access to the secret world of beavers. These are animals that are active only in the evenings, at night and in the early mornings. They are also naturally shy and often difficult to see. The cameras will give us the chance to learn so much about how beavers behave and their impact on the local landscape - this is one of the main objectives of the River Otter Beaver Trial. It will be fascinating to see how this story develops."

People can follow the progress of the beavers and see video footage of their release at the Devon Wildlife Trust website www.devonwildlifetrust.org 

The River Otter Beaver Trial receives no government funding and it is estimated that it will cost the charity more than £500,000 over five years. People can help the project by donating to www.devonwildlifetrust.org/make-a-donation 

The Eurasian beaver (Castor fiber) is a large herbivore, a mammal that was formerly native to these shores and once played an important part in our landscape from prehistoric times until it was hunted to extinction in the 16th century for its fur, meat and scent glands. The loss of this charismatic species also led to loss of the mosaic of lakes, meres, mires, tarns and boggy places that it so brilliantly built. The beaver is a 'keystone' species and its absence has had a profound impact on the ecology of our rivers. There are few species which have such significant and positive influences on ecosystem health and function. For example, their reintroduction can help with: 

• Alleviation of downstream flooding - the channels, dams and wetland habitats that beavers create hold back water and release it more slowly in periods of heavy rain. 
• Increased water retention - by storing water and greatly enhancing the absorption capacity of the wider landscape, beaver activity also helps to sustain flows during periods of low water. 
• Water purification - beaver-generated landscapes have been linked to the significant amelioration of diffuse pollution from human activities. Beavers have been specifically introduced into some river systems in Europe and North America to combat environmental degradation and pollution. 
• Reduced siltation - dams trap silt, helping to reduce turbidity and sedimentation of water courses, reservoirs and lakes. 
• Ecotourism - where beavers have been reintroduced on mainland Europe, there is substantial evidence of revenue and employment generation from ecotourism. The most appropriate sites for initial reintroduction can often be in more remote areas where alternative forms of livelihood from traditional land uses are in decline. 

Devon Wildlife Trust's Peter Burgess and University of Exeter's Prof Richard Brazier carrying one the female beaver to the secret East Devon release site Photo copyright
Nick Upton/naturepl.com (All rights reserved)

 Female Beaver taking first steps - Photo copyright Nick Upton/naturepl.com (All rights reserved)

 Female Beaver entering the water - Photo copyright Nick Upton/naturepl.com (All rights reserved)

 Female Beaver taking a swim in her new home - Photo copyright Nick Upton/naturepl.com (All rights reserved)

Male Beaver prior to release - Photo copyright Nick Upton/naturepl.com (All rights reserved)

  
People can help the project by donating to www.devonwildlifetrust.org/make-a-donation

The River Otter Beaver Trial The River Otter Beaver Trial is led by Devon Wildlife Trust, working in partnership with the University of Exeter, Clinton Devon Estates and the Derek Gow Consultancy. Expert independent advice is also provided by the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (Roisin Campbell-Palmer and Simon Girling), Professor John Gurnell and Gerhard Schwab, an expert on beaver re-introduction based in Bavaria.

#30DaysWild. Nature connection at the heart of a happy and healthy life

Results of UK's first month-long nature challenge published as 2016 campaign launches in Devon

People who do something 'wild' every day for a month change their attitude to nature and report improvements in their physical and mental wellbeing, according to new research which places nature connection at the heart of a happy and healthy life.

An impact study, by the University of Derby, of 30 Days Wild - the UK's first ever month-long nature challenge, run by The Wildlife Trusts in June 2015 - reveals sustained increases in participants' happiness, health, connection to nature and positive environmental behaviours, such as feeding the birds or growing flowers for pollinators like bees.

Dr Miles Richardson, Head of Psychology at the University of Derby, conducted the study.

 He says:

"Two months after taking part in 30 Days Wild, the number of people reporting their health as excellent increased by over 30%. And that improvement in health was influenced by the improvements in happiness and connection with nature."

The impact of 30 Days Wild adds to the compelling argument for bringing nature into our everyday lives. Our grand challenges, such as health and declining biodiversity, require large-scale interventions and the evaluation of 30 Days Wild provides good evidence that time in, and a connection with nature can bring sustained benefits to public health, reducing demands on our health services, while also improving pro-nature behaviours. Even in urban areas, nature can provide a simple solution to complex problems."

More than 18,500 people took part in The Wildlife Trusts' 30 Days Wild challenge, committing around 300,000 Random Acts of Wildness - different ways to connect with, experience and take action for nature - throughout June 2015.

Steve Hussey, from Devon Wildlife Trust, said:

"Last year, thousands of people undertook Random Acts of Wildness across our region, from the centre of Plymouth to the Isles of Scilly. People let their lawns grow wild, adults danced in the rain and went on wild picnics, while families created natural artworks, went star-gazing and created homes for wildlife in their gardens. Even people at work found time for wildlife, by taking meetings outside in the sun and transforming work spaces into wildlife habitats.

"The results of our study show that taking part in 30 Days Wild makes people happier, healthier and more connected to nature in the long-term.

"Importantly it also showed that by looking out for nature on a regular basis people became more likely to care about and protect it - and that's what we're all about. We're here to inspire everyone again - every day throughout June. Whatever their age, wherever they live, we want everyone to feel they can take part and join thousands of others making nature part of their life."

30 Days Wild returns in 2016, Devon Wildlife Trust is asking everyone to do something wild every day from 1 - 30 June. Whether you take time out to simply smell a wildflower, listen to birdsong, explore a local wild place or leave a part of your garden to grow wild for a month. This year, the conservation charity aims to inspire people to carry out one million Random Acts of Wildness, listing 101 fun and intriguing ideas online to get you started. It's all about making nature part of your life for 30 days - and it's free.

Steve Hussey added: 

"Hundreds of people have already signed up to this year's 30 Days Wild but the message is there's still time to do so at www.wildlifetrusts.org/30DaysWild. We're delighted that BBC Radio Devon is once again backing the campaign and broadcasting a suggested Random Act of Wildness every day of the month on its David Fitzgerald Show and other programmes. This year we're also calling on people to share their experiences of 30 Days Wild with us on twitter, Instagram and facebook using #30DaysWild and twitter handle @DevonWildlife."

Devon Wildlife Trust is kicking off its 30 Days Wild with a special event at its Cricklepit Mill base in the heart of Exeter during half term week on Wednesday 1 June. DWT's Steve Hussey said: 

 "Our Fun Day is the perfect way to start your 30 Days Wild. The event is free and people can drop in any time between 10am and 3pm. We will be challenging visitors to complete 10 Random Acts of Wildness in one day! From bug hunting in our meadow and creating wild art to making a bird feeder and scribbling a poem - it promises to be a wild beginning to June." Cricklepit Mill is a short walk from Exeter's historic Quayside and can be found next to the Bishop Blaize pub, EX2 4AB. For more details on this event visit www.devonwildlifetrust.org/whats-on 

#30DaysWild - Lewis Hussey, age 12, Exeter. Photo taken at Exmouth Beach copyright Kathryn Edwards (All rights reserved)

 

#30DaysWild - Imogen Hussey, aged 16, balances on tree trunk Photo taken at Haldon Hill copyright Kathryn Edwards (All rights reserved)

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Tap link to sign up for the 30 DaysWild Challenge

Share your 30 Days Wild experience  on twitter, Instagram and facebook using 

#30DaysWild and twitter handle @DevonWildlife

Name that beaver!

A Devon-based conservation charity is looking for help from the public to suggest names for its new beaver mascot.

The beaver in question is a human-sized beaver costume made to promote the work of Devon Wildlife Trust with England's only known wild beaver population on the River Otter in East Devon. The costume, which has striking teeth and tail has been produced with support from South Devon-based Cofton Country Holidays, which is itself a David Bellamy Conservation Award Scheme Gold award winner.

Speaking for Devon Wildlife Trust Steve Hussey said:

"We wanted a beaver mascot to help us raise the profile of the River Otter Beaver Trial and its vital work. When Cofton Country Holidays generously stepped in to help us we were delighted." "We hope that lots of people will get to see the mascot and learn about the project. His/her first outing was at this year's County Show, after that he/she will be seen around the county at events."

"We're really pleased with the mascot costume and have a number of staff, volunteers and helpers from Cofton Country Holidays who have said they are happy to wear it. Now all that is lacking is a name. That's why we're now asking the public to help us name that beaver!"

Mellony Kirby, Director at Cofton Country Holidays commented:

"Conservation is very close to our hearts. We work hard to provide guests with a rich environment in which to observe wildlife here at Cofton. Over the years Devon Wildlife Trust has advised us on our nature trails, which take visitors through parkland and woodland to Dawlish Warren Nature Reserve, and so for us the opportunity to raise the profile of the Trust's work to encourage a wild beaver population on the River Otter seemed too good an opportunity to miss. 

"We're looking forward to hosting the River Otter beaver mascot throughout the spring and summer when Devon Wildlife Trust will be joining us here at Cofton for pond dipping days, giving kids the chance to discovering wildlife in the water alongside supervised activities." 

The beaver mascot's first appearance was at this year's Devon County Show. People who want to suggest a beaver name can do so by visiting the Devon Wildlife Trust stand. Devon Wildlife Trust is also inviting people get in touch via Twitter using @DevonWildlife with their beaver name suggestions. 

Steve Hussey said: 

"We're looking for an imaginative beaver name. After the recent Boaty McBoatface debacle we've chosen not to run this name selection as a vote. Instead we are reserving the right to choose the winner and it won't be Beaver McBeaverface or anything that doesn't represent the correct tone for our work for wildlife!" 

 

The beaver outfit being modelled at Cofton Country Holidays

 Mellony Kirby, director of Cofton Country Holidays, the River Otter Beaver Trial mascot, Helen Scott, director of Cofton Country Holidays, and Mike Elsey, Corporate Support Officer for Devon Wildlife Trust.