More beavers have been released into Devon’s countryside

Devon Wildlife have added to the wild breeding population of beavers in Devon, with 14 now roaming around in a secret location.

Devon Wildlife Trust has released two more beavers into England’s only breeding wild population.

They have been released in a secret location, and although they haven’t been thrown straight in with the other beavers, Devon Wildlife Trust’s Peter Burgess is sure they will bump into each other at some point.

He says: “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.”

Devon Wildlife Trust says the environment will benefit from their presence.

They will draw visitors to the county, and nature enthusiasts are expected to boost the economy by flocking to see the beavers in the wild, while Devon’s rivers and lakes will appear visibly cleaner.

There will be less dirty foam on top of the water - the dams will catch the silt. The water in general will also be cleaner and more pure. Big bits of rubbish will get stuck in the dams, and they will hold back some bacteria as well.

Communities will not suffer as much from downhill flooding either, as the dams will hold back water and release it much more slowly after wet periods, relieving pressure from our drains.

Find out more at devonwildlifetrust.org