Stags clash in the Scottish Highlands, otters play in the lake district and beavers build dams in Cornwall, but it’s not all easy going for animals in Britain.
Recent figures have shown an alarming collapse in the number of swans occupying our ponds, lakes and streams and Friends of The Earth have had to take the government to court to protect the dam-building beavers.
In 1995 there were 29,000 swans in Britain, the highest number since reliable records began. Often, wherever there was fresh water there were swans to be seen throughout autumn and winter. However, 19 years later, swans are a significantly rarer sight, there were 18,000 in 2010 and a census due this winter is expected to indicate that there are less now. It is thought that the striking protected species has suffered from lead poisoning and illegal hunting, however the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust is keeping close tabs on the birds in an effort to protect them. The charity is undertaking projects to boost the British population of swans and is optimistic.
Beavers are another declining species in need of protection. One family of river otter-beavers in particular are at risk of capture and a life in captivity. Friend of the Earth are defending the family of two adults and their child using legal means. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has said the beavers could be carrying a disease and could threaten local wildlife or livestock and are planning to capture them. However Friends of The Earth believe that this is illegal under European law as the animals are protected.
Stags, deer and otters on the other hand are wildlife success stories with bigger populations and wider breeding grounds being reported than ever before.