Dam Beavers

A slow morning over latte and my eye caught by the Times headline ‘Landowners Fear the Beaver Invasion’.

I mean really, who would fear a beaver invasion? Surely an occasion like this would be rejoiced!

It appears that after a 400 year absence in Scotland, a pair of European beaver families are being introduced as part of a ‘Beaver Trial’.

It’s no wonder the Scottish are so effin miserable. 400 years with no beaver! All of the golf and whisky in the world is not going to overcome that now is it?

Alas, fishing interests are deeply concerned about the impact on the salmon industry and have presented some pretty damming evidence: “American beavers, slightly smaller than their European cousins, were reintroduced to Prince Edward Island, Canada, in 1949, and opponents of that scheme say that the difficulties associated with their inexorable spread will soon be mirrored in Scotland.”

I always thought American beavers were slightly smaller than European beavers, though there is no question that American mouths are much bigger. As for the inexorable spread, well, quite. It’s nice to get the confirmation in print from an authoritative source like the Times.

The beavers used in the trial were captured here in Norway, and as most of us here will attest, the Norwegian beaver is one of the finest in the world. I am sure my Scottish cousins will be grateful once they have had a peek at the little, though slightly larger than American, snappers.

On an entirely separate but beaver related note, a 40 kg behemoth beaver has escaped a farm in Devon this week and has thus far evaded capture.

A behemoth beaver, and on the loose. Now that is something that will strike fear in most men’s trousers.

Beaverboosh

P.S. To avoid any confusion, the beaver on my head is Canadian.

P.P.S. Nursemyra's contribution: Australian Beaver



P.P.P.S. Rob's contribution: Canadian Beaver