There is a survey being carried out at the moment to gather public support for the release of beavers into the wild in Wales. It is probable that the results of this survey will be used by the Welsh Government to justify releasing beavers into the wild and giving them protective status – as happened in Scotland. We would request that members express your views by completing the survey here: Survey – Public attitudes toward the reintroduction of Beavers in Wales
The following is a copy of the Prince Albert AA message to members which defines the issue:
Beavers
The reintroduction of the Eurasian Beaver ( Castor Fiber ) into Wales comes with it own problems. This destructive rodent became extinct in this country over four hundred years ago and today’s society has vastly changed with near 70 million people living here and growing daily. We have to ask ourselves; Is there room for another rewilding project?
Or is it just because the funding is there at present and it’s another tick box exercise.
Both the Environment Agency (EA) and Natural Resource’s Wales (NRW) have spent millions of pounds over the years removing weirs and barriers enabling Atlantic Salmon and Sea Trout as well as other migratory fish which are as critically endangered to reach there spawning grounds in the tributaries and higher reaches of the rivers.
So why are we introducing a destructive species from another country back into the wild which builds dams and blocks these migratory channels stopping both adult fish going upstream but more importantly stops juvenile fish returning downstream to the sea?
The habitat that surrounds these dams creates holding pools which make it easier for predators to wipe out vast stocks of our precious fish. So why are we not adopting the Precautionary Principle?
“Salmon is the king of fish. Their journeys up rivers are some of the most thrilling spectacles of the natural world. Yet, now, their very survival is at risk.”
The above quote was by Sir David Attenborough speaking during The International Year of Salmon. Salmon are in crisis, we need a renewed sense of urgency if we are to save them. We know what the problems are, and know what the solutions are and reintroducing a destructive species that died out four hundred years ago isn’t one of them.
We already have illegal releases happening within the River Dyfi catchment in Wales and surprise! Nobody knows how they got there. This sort of attitude cannot carry on, organisation’s need to be made to be accountable.
Who will control these rodents? Man is it’s only means. Remember we have no apex predators here like the Bear, Wolf or Lynx that used to control these rodents. Or is that another rewilding project coming on?
We have in the UK over 2000 invasive species here at present! Do we need another one? Should we not be protecting are own indigenous species first?
We have just received a flyer from The Woodland Trust and it reads;
URGENT!
“Nature is in crisis.We can’t ignore the plight of UK wildlife.
Our research has uncovered alarming evidence of the crisis facing nature. Many species of woodland wildlife are in serious decline. The UK needs to drastically increase tree cover to halt this.
Woodland bird numbers have dropped by nearly 30% since 1970.The Song Thrush has seen declines of 47% The rural hedgehog population in some parts of the UK has dropped by up to 75% in the last 20 years.
Woodland butterflies, such as the Grizzled Skipper, Small Copper and Pearl-Bordered Fritillary have seen average declines of 41% since 1990.”
So, do we really need to reintroduce the Eurasian Beaver? AND AT WHAT COST TO OUR OWN INDIGENOUS SPECIES.
The University of Exeter are undertaking a survey to better understand attitudes to beaver reintroduction in Wales.
Although primarily aimed at residents of Wales, anybody can take part. The survey is open until THURSDAY 13TH APRIL 2023.