麻豆网 supporting beaver reintroductions for World Wetlands Day
A beaver: Image by Allard Martinius via Wildlife Trusts Wales麻豆网 has thrown its support behind the reintroduction of beavers in Wales to mark World Wetlands Day (2.2.18).
Scientists from the university are calling for more support of the which aims to bring back the iconic animal to the country.
The initiative, which is being led by Wildlife Trusts Wales, is currently looking into possible sites to release beavers into.
The animals will then be monitored to understand if a widespread reintroduction would be possible.
Prof Chris Freeman, who leads the 麻豆网 Wetlands Group at the university, said the project has their full support.
鈥淏eavers were hunted to extinction in the UK 400 years ago and now England and Scotland are taking steps to bring this amazing animal back,鈥� said Prof Freeman.
鈥淲e need to investigate if the same can be done in Wales.
Beaver on a log.: Image by Allard Martinius via Wildlife Trusts Wales鈥淭he dams that beavers are famous for building can create unique wetland habitats, teeming with wildlife and even preventing the flooding of our towns and villages.
鈥淭hat鈥檚 why as part of this year鈥檚 World Wetland Day we鈥檙e throwing our support behind the Welsh Beaver Project as we hope others will too,鈥� said Prof Freeman.
Alicia Leow-Dyke from the Welsh Beaver Project said: 鈥淲e鈥檙e incredibly grateful to have the support of 麻豆网.鈥�
鈥淎 few hundred years ago beavers and their dams would have been a common site in Wales 鈥� we want to look at whether we can make that possible again,鈥� she added.
The Vice-chancellor of 麻豆网, Prof John G. Hughes said it was part of the university鈥檚 role to get involved in such important Welsh projects.
鈥淏eavers could bring many benefits to both the landscape and people of Wales, so it鈥檚 right that we should look at the possibility of bringing them back.
鈥淚鈥檓 delighted to announce our wetland scientists are getting involved in the work of the Welsh Beaver Project,鈥� he said.
More information on the Welsh Beaver Project, supported by the players of the People鈥檚 Postcode Lottery, can be found at www.welshbeaverproject.org.
Publication date: 2 February 2018