Specieswatch: beavers chip in to boost Yorkshire flood defences

Forestry Commission enlists dam-building rodents to slow water flows on North York MoorsBeavers are being enlisted by the Forestry Commission to help prevent rivers from flooding. Up to eight microchipped beavers will be introduced to Cropton Forest on the North York Moors in the hope that they will build dams to slow down any surges of water from big rainfalls, helping prevent flooding downstream in places such as Pickering. In another project, beavers were introduced this summer to the Forest of Dean in Gloucestershire to prevent flooding in the village of Lydbrook, which was badly flooded in November 2012. Related: Why do beavers build dams? You asked Google - here's the answer | Jules Howard Continue reading...