Wildwood Escot celebrates nearby sighting of baby beaver
Industry: Travel & Leisure
Baby beaver spotted at the River Otter
Devon (PRUnderground) December 16th, 2016
A baby beaver known as a ‘kit’ has been spotted by a photographer on the River Otter, near Wildwood Escot.
The Wildwood team are thrilled by this news as the footage of the new-born beaver demonstrates that the wild population of beavers near Ottery St Mary is still thriving. The news comes hot on the heels of the recent announcement from the Scottish Government that provided beavers with full legal protection and ‘native resident’ status in Scotland.
The Devon Wildlife Trust (DWT) is leading the River Otter Beaver Project to monitor the creatures and their impact on the natural environment and this sighting marks an exciting moment for the conservation of beaver in our English countryside. The evidence from their five year trial will play a major factor in the Government’s decision on the future of these animals in England’s waterways.
Wildwood Trust’s CEO, Peter Smith, commented that ‘beaver back in our streams will do more for wildlife than any other conservation yet to be devised.’ The Wildwood Trust supports DWT’s efforts in their bid to protect the beaver, and encourage animal-lovers to help to secure the future of our beaver in England.
About Wildwood Escot
Wildwood Escot is East Devon’s conservation and wildlife treasure, with its winding woodland paths and beautiful flowers, creating the perfect environment for our collection of native and formerly-native wildlife.
Start your adventure by picking up a free visitor map, guiding you around over 200 acres of stunning parkland where guinea fowl and majestic peacocks roam freely. Meet rare red squirrels in our walk-through enclosure, test your orientation with our world-class beech hedge maze, and marvel at our birds of prey displays. Navigate the vast woodland, stumbling across our wildcat and lynx enclosures, and discover Jurassic Pork where wild boar and their piglets roll around in the mud! With a hidden playground, a heart-stopping drop slide and an indoor play barn all to be discovered, Wildwood Escot is the perfect place for a family day out.
