Beavers can bring benefits – but they need to be managed

THE interaction between humans and wildlife is an issue brought into sharp focus as habitats change, landscapes alter and the climate warms.

And in almost every case, in a heavily populated and busily farmed country like the UK, some form of management is necessary.

It does not always need to be heavy handed, but simply leaving the countryside and wildlife to its own devices can, except in some unique and unusual situations, result in problems.

Beavers are seen by a majority in the countryside as broadly beneficial. Their presence, after centuries of persecution, is a cause for celebration by naturalists and environmental campaigners, and the role they play in damning streams and slowing the flow of water is already being seen to bring broader practical benefits.

But the lessons from a five-year study of beavers on the River Otter in East Devon demonstrates that a policy of simply leaving these large mammals to do what they like, where they like, has consequences in a region like the Westcountry.

As Sam Briant-Evans, head of agriculture for Clinton Devon Estates, explains in a story in today’s Western Morning News, there are advantages to having beavers present, not least because of their ability to manage water in a way that could offset the impact of both drought and flood.

But there are downsides, too. The estate has lost about two hectares of grazing land for its dairy herd, with a hectare now permanently underwater, thanks to the work of the beavers. For this estate, losing two hectares of productive farmland might be a price worth paying. But not every farm, working on marginal returns, can afford to be so generous with its land, without compensation.

As Mr Briant-Evans says: “It’s a bit of a conundrum for us as an estate as we can see both sides of the equation. We need to accept that the beavers are there but they need to be closely monitored and managed going forward, so their activities and any potential flood issues can be monitored and we can tackle it quickly.

“There’s no clear solution. However, what this does highlight is that with the right management and by working with them, they can help in the adaptation to climate change.”

Any kind of management, however, becomes much more difficult from October 1 this year when beavers get legal protection as a native UK species, meaning it will be illegal to disturb, harm or kill them.

We have seen unintended consequences in the past when measures are put in place to protect certain species and then it becomes clear those measures need amending in order to solve another problem. Making those changes, as for example in allowing the controlled culling of badgers to reduce bovine TB rates, sparks public outcry and conflict.

We do not want the same kind of difficulties in a few years thanks to flooding in the wrong places, damaged property and compromised farming as a result of an explosion in beaver numbers. Clinton Devon Estates are right to call for the proper management of beavers, undertaken with financial support from Government. Then we can all enjoy the benefits of this iconic species.