Downgatebatman

       Poplar trees in France protected (belatedly) from Beavers. Wildlife conservation these days has moved away from the “reserves” mentality onto a broader picture of re-introductions and re-wilding. But this brings “nature” closer to a wider spectrum of the public. “Nature” is no longer confined to a “reserve”. It is out there in the wider countryside. One may meet Cranes, Water Voles, and Beavers amongst others.  “Coming to a woodland near you – Wolves!” But those Wolves require quite a large territory to maintain them, and that to be far enough away from farmed habitat not to be a nuisance to livestock farmers. The same would apply to Beavers. So alright; they are not “top predators”. They are vegetarians. But they are still going to be in competition for fodder with grazing livestock.   I’ve seen in France the trails into riverside crops of maize they make. And the breaking down of riverbanks, and diversion of streams. So while these re-intr...