Beavers could return to Beacons

Trials have seen some beavers re-introduced in England and Scotland

The idea of re-introducing the beaver to areas like the Brecon Beacons has been discussed by conservationists.

The possibility was debated by delegates at a conference in Brecon, where the national park is celebrating its 50th anniversary.

A wildlife ecologist said beavers sculpt the landscape to help smaller species and can aid water management.

Hunting led to the rodents becoming extinct in Wales around 300 to 400 years ago.

The annual Welsh Conservation Management Conference is the largest countryside conference of its type in Britain.

Wildlife ecologist Derek Gow, who made a speech about the value of re-introducing European beavers to the UK, described the creatures as "nature's architect".

"They are incredible at creating huge, vigorous wetland landscapes that are tremendously important for a whole range of smaller species, for example water voles," he said.

Beaver Facts Beavers have waterproof fur, webbed hind feet and large incisor teeth They can stay underwater for around 15 minutes They use their broad tail for propelling and slapping against the water when threatened Beavers live in wooden structures called lodges Beavers usually live in families two parents and two children They are commonly found in North America and North Asia Baby beavers are called kits They are the world's second largest rodents They were hunted for their fur and meat They are herbivores and eat tree bark

Travelling to the Brecon Beacons, Mr Gow said he had noticed natural features such as lots of willow and large trees that made it "very good beaver habitat".

As well as helping us manage water, re-introducing beavers could generate income from tourists being attracted to the area as a result, according to Mr Dow.

He said in Denmark, the forest authorities have built hides where tourists can stay overnight and watch the beavers when they come out at dawn and dusk.

There are only around 100 beavers in Britain today including six that were released into a protected site in Gloucestershire two years ago. They have since bred two young.

In Scotland, however, their re-introduction has caused controversy as it is claimed they are destructive.

Paul Sinnadurai, senior ecologist with the Brecon Beacons National Park, emphasised the conference had looked at a whole range of challenges facing conservation professionals.

He said: "A lot of conservationists themselves are very ambivalent about the idea of the beaver.

"They say: 'what about the other things we're worried about? What about woodland regeneration...what about dealing with overgrazing problems?'"

Other speakers at the conference included Brian Blessed and author and broadcaster Trevor Fishlock who has called for more walkers to visit the park.