Beavers ‘curb soil loss and water pollution’

Beavers can help reduce soil erosion and pollution in rivers, research on a family of the mammals in south-west England suggests.

The study looked at beavers which have lived at a secret location in west Devon since 2011 as part of a trial by Devon Wildlife Trust to assess their impact on wildlife and water management and quality.

The aquatic mammals have built 13 dams on the site, creating a series of ponds along what was once a small stream.

University of Exeter scientists assessed the impact their activities have had on reducing the flow of tonnes of soil and nutrients from nearby agricultural land into the local river system.

Beavers were hunted to extinction in the UK by the 16th century, but have been reintroduced in Scotland and Devon.