Isle of Wight beaver introduction questions answered

Residents have been asked if they are for or against the scheme, which will see the paddle-tailed mammals introduced into the Eastern Yar if a licence is granted.

Many County Press readers have asked for more information and some have sent in questions.

We spoke to zoologist Izzie Tween, the Island's beaver recovery project officer for the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, to find out more.

From talking to Izzie, and from the information on the trust's website, the questions are answered below.

Beavers could be coming to the Isle of Wight but what does that mean?

Where will the beavers be based? Will they be penned in? Will they travel?

Beavers are aquatic species so will only be interested in living near rivers, streams and ponds and they like deep water. This means, for most people, beavers won't be moving into the garden. They forage within 100m of the water's edge and usually chew trees within 30m, and are risk averse, so they will mainly be found near the semi-permanent settlements they build themselves. The first beavers are likely to be released at Newchurch on a nature reserve, where there is currently no public access. They won't be penned in — beavers are great escape artists, so wild releases are preferred. There could be a number of releases along the Eastern Yar, where people might spot them from the cycle tracks, and there could be signage and platforms created for viewing. However, beavers are nocturnal creatures so viewing would be best at dawn or dusk in the summer months. The average beaver territory is 3.3km but the abundance of food (wood that coppices quickly) on the Island means the territories are likely to be smaller. Rivers have been mapped, and modelling shows potentially up to 19 pairs could be supported here.

We hear beavers help prevent flooding by building dams, but can they also cause flooding?

Changes made by beavers can markedly alter the appearance of the local environment but these modifications mostly have a positive effect on biodiversity. Izzie explained that although beavers help to reduce downstream flooding by holding back water and releasing it more slowly after heavy rain, they can cause some localised flooding. Water from their dams can spill out, so there is a risk of some flooding around these areas. However, the trust will work with landowners to manage the risk, if the dams are unwelcome or in the wrong place. Dams can be manipulated to make the water level tolerable, and this is where the wildlife trust team comes in.

If a beaver builds a dam or a lodge (wooden home) on someone's land or in an inappropriate place, can anything be done or do the beavers have to be left alone?

Beavers are due to be given protected species status later this year, although there is ambiguity about what that means in practical terms. Their lodges are likely to be protected. Dams could be manipulated in the early days of construction. The trust would work with landowners on solutions if the beavers are unwelcome, encouraging them to move on to another location. Izzie said: "If they are accepted and supported, then great. If not, we can encourage them to move off." There are established ways of 'managing' the beavers.

What happens if beavers chew and fell trees? Are there safety risks? Who is liable if a tree falls on someone, and will there be a loss of trees?

Beavers are herbivores and forage on vegetation, including trees. They will fell a tree to strip it of its bark to eat, and use the wood to build lodges and dams. Usually they will nibble at accessible vegetation close by to their habitat. They love willow, which is coppice and will re-sprout. They can eat larger trees, so this can be hazardous, but the trust say they will closely monitor this and will have a team of volunteers to identify trees, work with landowners and assess the risks. If the beavers choose inappropriate trees, the trees can be fenced off, or the bark painted with a rough texture which prevents gnawing. Ultimately, the liability lies with the landowner but beavers can take multiple days to destabilise a tree, so the trust says this gives them time to decide the best course of action. Near the dams, roots of the trees can get flooded, but this isn't expected to happen large-scale. Generally this can have advantages as part of an improved eco-system. Tree coppicing can look bare in winter, but will promote lush regrowth in the spring – a way of beavers helping to regenerate their own food supply.

What should landowners do if they are concerned?

The website hiwwt.org.uk/beaver-recovery-network has a lot more information, but the trust is happy to carry out site visits with landowners, talk at parish and town council meetings, and answer any questions. Izzie said they understand the farming community has to make money from their land so their concerns are valid. Details of potential compensation payments, for allowing nature to thrive on owned land, are available from the government (ELM scheme).

We asked the Isle of Wight Council what input it is having with the beaver introduction project

An Isle of Wight Council spokesperson said: "The council is aware of the current consultation by the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust concerning the possible reintroduction of beavers.

"The council has no role in regulating any release of beavers, nor is the council involved in planning or delivering the project.

"The council will continue to engage with the scheme but does not at this time have a position for or against the release of beavers."

More information about beavers 

Quick-fire facts about beavers:

• Beavers are herbivores — they don't eat fish.
• Beavers create wetland habitats that help wildlife.
• Beavers help people by improving water quality.
• Beavers are a keystone species which means they play a crucial role in ecosystems.
• The restored wetlands provide essential habitat for a wealth of plants and animals such as otters, water voles, amphibians, dragonflies and birds.
• Beavers only breed at two to three years old. They breed once a year, and have an average of three kits. The kits are vulnerable to predation by foxes and birds of prey – so not all kits survive.
• Once territories are established, population numbers rise slowly. Beavers live in strict family groups, with only the dominant pair breeding.
• If the territories become saturated, the trust may need to re-home older offspring, several years down the line.