Ten years ago, “Countryfile” documented a landmark event: the reintroduction of beavers to the River Otter in Devon, England’s first such project. This Sunday, the program revisits the site to examine the long-term impact of these industrious creatures on the landscape.
John Craven returns to Devon to catch up with the Devon Wildlife Trust team and the dedicated volunteers who have been monitoring the beavers’ progress. The episode explores the ways in which beavers have transformed the environment, from their intricate dam-building to their sometimes-controversial tree-gnawing habits.
While celebrating the beavers’ positive contributions to the ecosystem, the program also acknowledges the challenges of managing their activities. Steering beavers away from unwanted areas requires ingenuity, and the volunteers have devised some clever methods to keep them on the right track. “Countryfile” reflects on past reintroduction films, giving viewers a sense of the project’s evolution over the past decade. Tune in to BBC One this Sunday, March 23rd at 5:15 PM to see the results of this ambitious rewilding effort.
