THERE are many arguments being highlighted against the reintroduction of beavers in this country.
It surprises me, however, that I have seen no mention of the unpleasant disease of Giardiasis. This is a waterborne disease, found worldwide, particularly throughout the USA.
The parasite lives in the intestine and is passed in the faeces of animals such as cats, dogs, cattle, and certainly beavers. In fact, in North America, Giardia is known as 'Beaver Fever' because of the wide colonisation of these animals and the effects on the surface water of streams, rivers, and lakes.
The irony is that water purification, especially in remote places, is often only necessary because of the presence of beavers. It could be said that allowing beavers to colonise is moving into unchartered waters!
I hope that Natural England will also consider waterborne diseases in their investigations of the impact of this species.
Alan Flack
Park View Terrace
Okehampton