Beaver dams in east Devon create area of wetland amid drought

Despite a lack of rain in the South West, a network of dams built by beavers has helped to maintain a wetlands.

There are a number of families that live on the land.

They were the subject of a five-year study that looked at the impact of animals on the countryside.

A number of benefits were found in the trial, and the beavers have been allowed to live in the area.

The mammals were able to create several dams on the estate in less than a year by using sticks and mud.

The water is up to two feet in some areas and is great for animals.

Flood prevention and carbon capture are brought to the wetlands.

It was important to "tread with caution" as it could impact farming and surrounding land owners, according to estate surveyor Clare James.

How will our arable land be affected by the increase in the number of beavers?

"That's a big question for land managers across the country as beavers begin to move their territories through our rivers."

There were pros and cons to the existence of the dam.

The impact of beavers on a few individuals and land owners is compounded by the benefits society-wide.

Access to land and crops can be affected by those impacts.

The benefits outweigh the costs of managing the animals.

New legislation coming into force on October 1st will make it illegal to disturb, harm or kill a beaver in England.

There was a consultation last year on the future of the animals.

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