City Plagued by Floods Saved by Animal Extinct for 400 Years

West London Launches 'Wildlife Restoration' Project
Beaver Dams and Channels Reduce Flood Damage
Wetland Creation Brings Ecological Recovery

A city in the United Kingdom that frequently suffered from flooding has garnered attention for solving its flood problems by introducing beavers, a species that went extinct locally 400 years ago, instead of constructing concrete artificial structures.

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According to CNN and other foreign media on June 18 (local time), wild beavers are playing the role of natural flood regulators by restoring urban wetlands in Paradise Fields, a wetland conservation area in the London Borough of Ealing, west of London.

This area was a notorious flood zone, with nearby roads and even subway stations inundated every time there was a heavy downpour. The local authorities considered building a concrete reservoir using heavy machinery, but instead launched the "Beaver Reintroduction Project" following a proposal by local environmental groups.

Wild beavers in the UK became extinct about 400 years ago due to indiscriminate hunting for their fur, meat, and castoreum, a substance used in perfumes. The Ealing Beaver Project team released a family of five wild beavers in 2023 onto a previously neglected 24-acre (about 29,400 pyeong) site.

Beyond Flood Prevention: Drought Response and Restored Wetlands

The results were successful. The beavers began gnawing on branches with their strong orange teeth to build dams and dig channels. This transformed the landscape itself into a giant sponge. The natural reservoirs created by the beavers absorbed large volumes of water during heavy rainfall, significantly reducing the flow of water downstream.

Sean McCormack, the project leader, stated, "After the beavers settled in, for the first time in ten years, there was no flood damage at all during the second winter in this area."

The beavers' contribution went beyond just flood prevention. The wetlands they created also supply moisture to dry surrounding soil during droughts and serve as firebreaks to prevent the spread of wildfires.

Additionally, as a diverse ecological environment was established, various wildlife—including birds, butterflies, bats, freshwater shrimp, and fish—have returned to the area. This spring, baby beavers were born, increasing the local beaver population to more than eight.

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Gaining Attention as a Climate Crisis Solution...But Concerns Remain

As extreme weather events caused by climate change become more frequent, projects like this "wildlife restoration" initiative are rapidly emerging as alternatives in many countries, including the western United States.

However, some concerns have been raised. Professor George Holmes of the University of Leeds pointed out, "The massive burrows that beavers dig in riverbanks are large enough for livestock or farm machinery to fall into," adding, "There is also considerable opposition from farmers who worry that their farmland may be flooded."

Professor Emily Fairfax of the University of Minnesota also noted, "Utilizing beavers should only happen in environments where infrastructure and a sufficient food supply are secured," and emphasized that "emergency plans are also necessary in case beavers move close to human living areas."

Nevertheless, these attempts to coexist with nature in densely populated urban areas are receiving positive responses from residents.

McCormack emphasized, "Densely populated cities may not seem suitable for wildlife restoration, but we are demonstrating that coexistence with beavers is by no means an unrealistic idea."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.