In the lush rainforests of Knapdale, Argyll and Bute, beavers reintroduced 15 years ago are playing a pivotal role in the resurgence of endangered water voles. The beavers’ dam-building activities have led to flooding along watercourses, creating vital ‘edge habitats’ that protect water vole burrows from predatory mink. This environmental engineering by beavers has not only provided safe havens for the water voles, descendants of northern Iberian migrants, but also showcases a thriving example of how one species can inadvertently aid another in survival. With water vole populations having declined by 90% since 1950, the beavers’ contribution marks a hopeful step towards reversing this trend.
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