Beavers could come to Watford in green scheme

Under proposals to ‘re-wild’ The Parade, a colony of beavers could be introduced to the pool as part of a renewable forest-marsh ecosystem.

The ‘Big Beaver’ scheme is being mooted by environmentalists as a way to offset the increasing urbanisation of the town centre.

The forest would act as a 'green lung', while the beavers would act as its natural stewards, managing the woodland as part of an ‘urban wilderness’.

The idea, like many to have gained popularity in recent years, originated in Scandinavia.

In the remote and tiny Igä valley in Sweden, a population of urban beavers has peacefully co-existed alongside humans for centuries.

With little fertile land, people in the town of Rollmopp realised that if they resisted the temptation to kill the beavers for tasty steaks and warm, furry hats and boots, the beavers would dam the fast-flowing river, providing fishing pools and irrigation.

Academics say it is a perfect example of man living in balance with nature.

Beavers are a natural way to manage woodland

Dr Iva Ottersdotter, an urban zoologist at the University of Poang, said the ‘urban canyon’ conditions of the Parade were a near perfect match for the steep, rocky sides and barren soils of the Igä valley.

She said: “In an increasingly urban world, these loveable animals could provide a valuable link with nature for a generation of children, and attract people to the top of The Parade.

“It is almost as if beavers have evolved to be adorable. In Sweden we have recorded instances of beavers posing for selfies, picking up litter and one very serious beaver solving a murder.”

As part of the scheme, the triangle of land at the top of the Parade would be planted with a mix of trees imported from Sweden, with water flow introduced between an expanded series of pools.

The beavers would in time build their own lodge, but a ready-built home will be used at first, constructed on-site from a flat-pack with allen keys and easy-to-follow instructions.

To make the animals feel at home, The Parade would be repainted in muted blues and greys, with highlights of yellow and orange.

The Parade could be 're-wilded'

Seeing economic benefits, council bosses have suggested the naturally industrious Igä beavers could be outsourced to manage woodland in nearby Cassiobury Park and recycle Christmas trees.

The scheme already has its detractors. Some have pointed to the potentially “toxic mix” of wildlife with Watford’s night-time economy.

Prof Stieg Ituppyajummpa, visiting professor at the University of Beest in the Netherlands, has made a study of the interaction of intoxicated humans with animals.

The professor said: “As long as people can be trained to interact with the beavers correctly, there is no problem.

“It is not as if drunken nincompoops do not already leap in the ponds at the slightest excuse. The beavers would encourage people by their presence to behave in a more civilised manner, and by acting all cute could take the tension out of situations where there is the potential for violence.

“They also have a nasty nip and know how to handle themselves in a fight.”

Beavers nibble at tree trunks before knocking them to the ground with a blow from their powerful tails

Community leaders have also expressed concern that the introduction of beavers would make the town the butt of endless smutty jokes.

Prof Ituppyajumpa said: “I am sorry, I am Swedish. I do not understand. Oh.”

Seeing parallels with Japanese knotweed or escaped mink, others have warned of the potential for the species to become rampant.

When confined to their lodges for long periods due to cold weather, the beavers tend to breed rapidly.

Freed from the confines of their valley, a colony in Denmark cleared an area the size of 23 football pitches in a year, felling hundreds of wind turbines.

Prof Stieg Ituppyajumpa said: “Yes, they are randy little critters.

“They are also protected and cannot be shot, so we would have to consider bringing in natural predators like wolves and bears to control them.”