Devon’s wild beaver colony to be tagged and named
Devon’s family of wild beavers could become stars of the internet with pet names to match under plans to monitor how the animals live.
Details of a scheme to capture and fit the creatures with coloured ear rings for identification have been revealed, a move that will “inevitably” lead to the creatures being given individual names, conservationists have said.
Devon’s wild beaver colony to be tagged and named
The colony is to be micro-chipped and tagged as part of plans by the Environment Department (Defra) to test the creatures for disease before they are released back to the River Otter by April.
Devon Wildlife Trust has revealed the details of the first trial of its kind in England and Wales to monitor a group in the wild.
Hidden cameras will film the creatures at work and play to observe their habits and make sure they do not damage the landscape or cause annoyance to any of the dozens of nearby landowners
Hmm, I have an idea. Since these are the only supposed beavers in the entire country, how about you could tell them apart from the other beavers that are NOT THERE by just looking. Well, never pass up a choice to put a chip in an animals head appears to be the national motto. It’s better than putting them in the zoo at least, and I’m sure DEFRA wanted radio tags on their tails, so this is kinder. But honestly. Bagged and tagged?
Now I have a treat for you, that I meant to share yesterday. Robert Redford’s Nature is Speaking. Have you seen them? Every single one of these is worth watching, but I’ll just share two. I love how willing he is to squeeze every bit out of his considerable weight to get this done by famous actors. I love how unapologetic and brilliantly harsh they are. Don’t take care of nature because it’s nice or because it’s cute. Nature will take care of itself. Endanger it at your peril.
Don’t you want to see the one about beavers? I’d be happy to do the script.
I’ve been around
in one form or another
for 55 million years.
My ancestors date from the Eocene period
ἠώς (eos, dawn)
I was here before the sunrise
And I’ll be here after it sets
I invented the words “Conserve” and “Recycle”
but I never, ever need to say them.
The lesson you need to learn
I could teach you.
I survived the warmest climate this planet has endured
and the coldest one yet seen.
I was the first to return after the volcanic eruption of Mt St Helen’s
And the nuclear explosion at Chernobyl.
I build mountains without an opposable thumb
walk miles without comfort or shelter
Swim oceans with nothing to drink
Endure winters without food
The only thing I couldn’t survive
was your Greed.
It nearly ended me.
Your Greed is insatiable
And next time,
It won’t be me that it kills.
I love that. Anyone have Mr. Redford’s email address?
Now tonight you might be sitting at home watching the Grammy’s so I thought I’d start you out with a beaver favorite. You know they sing this every time the lithe otters slink by. I’m addicted to this cover. How do we get her to sing at the beaver festival?
