Mixed emotions as wild beaver spotted on Welsh river

The sighting of a wild beaver on the River Dyfi near Machynlleth has been described as concerning by a Welsh farming union, while supporters of the once-extinct mammal have celebrated its return to Welsh waters.

BBC presenter Iolo Williams encountered the wild beaver on the river banks in mid-Wales while filming for his series Iolo’s River Valleys.

He described the animal, as “quite calm” while it was eating Japanese knotweed.

“This is one of the best wildlife things I’ve seen in Wales, ever,” said Mr Williams.

Due to overhunting for their fur, meat and oil from their scent glands, beavers became extinct in Wales about 400 years ago and vanished from Britain completely by the end of the 16th century.

See also: Widespread beaver release plans spark farming concern

They have been making a comeback in Britain through licensed releases into enclosures, such as those at Cors Dyfi in Wales.

There have also been wild releases in Devon, and at the Purbeck Heaths national nature reserve in Dorset.

Illegal releases

Illegal releases of the thick-toothed rodents have been a cause for concern for farming unions across the country.

Releasing beavers into open rivers without a licence remains illegal in Wales. It requires a licence from Natural Resources Wales (NRW).

It is understood that no licences of this type have been issued and no escapes from the beaver enclosure at the Dyfi Wildlife Centre have been reported.  

A spokesperson for the Wildlife Trusts said they welcomed beavers back in the wild and would encourage the Welsh government to make the Dyfi estuary beavers legal, as legal wild releases are now permitted in England.

“The presence of the beavers on the river shows the habitat is suitable for beavers.

“In the longer term, the activity of beavers will improve the biodiversity and water resource management within the catchment,” the spokesperson added.

NFU Cymru response

However, those opposed to the wild release and reintroduction of the semi-aquatic mammals say they are disappointed that no action has been taken to deal with illegally released beavers there already.

NFU Cymru rural affairs board chairman Hedd Pugh said:

“NFU Cymru is very concerned about existing beaver populations in Welsh rivers and is disappointed that no action has been taken by the relevant authorities to address the illegally released beavers already in situ.

“We believe this sets a dangerous precedent, sends entirely the wrong message and does little to inspire farmers’ confidence in the proposed licensing and management of future permitted releases.”

Plans to protect beavers in Wales

The Welsh government says it supports the managed reintroduction of European beavers in Wales and has been asking for views on proposed changes to legislation.

It currently works with NRW to determine the next steps for the future of beavers in Wales and stakeholder engagement will form an important element to this. 

Speaking to Farmers Weekly, NFU Cymru said it was opposed to the managed reintroduction of the beaver to Wales and the proposal to give the species protected status.

“We believe Welsh Government’s support for a managed reintroduction of beavers is highly premature given this policy position has been arrived at without consultation and takes no account of the negative impacts on farming, infrastructure and wider biodiversity that are likely to arise,” said Mr Pugh.

The union believes that plans for managed reintroduction should be halted until in situ illegally released beavers have been addressed and a revised, evidenced management plan is created.

Compensation should also be paid and support made available to those farmers whose businesses have been negatively affected by beavers.