A wild beaver has been spotted on the Dovey River in Wales for the first time in a century. This is a particularly significant moment for nature conservation, as beavers disappeared from Britain more than 400 years ago as a result of mass extermination. The unique footage was captured by naturalist and TV presenter Ayolo Williams during the filming of the BBC documentary series Ayolo River Valleys near the town of Machynlleth.
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According to Williams, the animal behaved calmly, swimming and eating, ignoring the presence of people. Scientists confirm that this may be part of a wild population that has existed in the region for several years without official release into the wild. Ecologists assume that at least one breeding family lives on the Dovi, as young beavers have been spotted in the region on several occasions.
Alicia Leo-Dyke from the Wildlife Trust Wales noted that the presence of young beavers indicates a stable replenishment of the population. According to her, it can be either one family or several families formed as a result of dispersal.
Despite the fact that there are more than 1,500 beavers in Scotland and about five hundred in England, there are only controlled enclosures in Wales. To release animals into the wild, a special licence is required, and this practice has not yet been applied.
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