Posh Paper Mache Beaver
Beavers have recently been reintroduced into the U.K. to help manage the river systems with their superior dam-building, so it has been on my mind to have a go at designing one.
Fortuitously, I was recently asked to make a Beaver as a commission for a customer and was pleased to do so as it had been on my list of things to make since they have become an official part of the U.K. wildlife. I already had a picture in my head how I wanted it to look - fat, with stubby legs and a huge tail! I have only made this one so far so it is really a prototype and as a result only have a quick video I took whilst making it to show you. It will give you a good idea of the shape that I came up with if you want to try making one yourself, and looking at my other posts will help you with the building process. I'm pleased with his little teeth, which were just made out of a piece of scrap wood - I think their wonkiness adds to his character! I also like the flower decoupage that I added which is hand painted onto newspaper. He did turn out a bit too brown overall so I might look at ways to add more different coloured detail next time around - just like you, I'm always learning how to do things better!
A Bit About Beavers
You are probably already aware from listening to the news that beavers have been reintroduced into the U.K. where they play a crucial role in helping biodiversity and improving the environment.
Often referred to as "ecosystem engineers" their ability to build dams can transform the landscape creating ponds that support dozens of animal species, such as fish, amphibians, and a variety of birds.
Beaver dams also aid water management. They help slow river flow during heavy rains, lessening the chances of flooding in surrounding areas, which is an increasing risk as we have sadly witnessed in recent years. A study in Scotland noted that in areas with beaver populations, flood risks decreased by nearly 40% which makes them very useful indeed!
Since their reintroduction in Scotland in 2009 it has been found that managing these populations comes with it's challenges but the benefits outweigh the negatives. With the right controls in place, beavers can help maintain healthy landscapes and improve the U.K. ecology and land management for the future.
An adorable beaver in the wild.
Have a go at making one yourself after you have had a quick look at the video below.