Devon's wild beavers, the first beavers to live in wild in the uk for 400 years, have gone on to win a top national award.

Readers of BBC Countryfile Magazine have selected the River Otter Beaver Trial based in East Devon, alongside the Sottish Beaver Trial, as their 'Wildlife Success Story of the Year' for 2017.

The accolade is recognition of the work being done with the East Devon Beavers by the charity Devon Wildlife Trust.

Mark Elliott, manager of the River Otter Beaver Trail for Devon Wildlife Trust, said: "We’re delighted to have won this prestigious BBC Countryfile Magazine Award.

"The fact that thousands of members of the public have taken the time to vote for beavers in Devon and in Scotland shows the wide support these charismatic creatures enjoy.

“The BBC Countryfile Award stands as a tribute to the strong partnership we’ve established to conduct the trial.

"Our research is now beginning to show the important role that beavers could play across our wider countryside in improving water quality, mitigating against the worst effects of flooding and drought, and in benefitting other wildlife.

"The trial has a long way to go, but this is a very public endorsement of the work we’ve done with beavers here in Devon and of the trial that has already been carried out in Scotland.”

A breeding population of beavers was first discovered on the River Otter in 2014, and no one knows how the beavers came to be living wild in East Devon.

In 2015 Devon Wildlife Trust was granted a five-year licence from Natural England, this allowed the beavers to remain after they were initially threatened with removal.

The licence also allowed the charity to establish a project which will monitor the beavers until 2020, when a decision about their long-term future is to be made by the government.

Prof Richard Brazier, project partner and chair of the River Otter Beaver Trial’s science and evidence forum, said: "Undertaking research into the impacts of beavers is a challenging yet highly rewarding field of study, made all the more fascinating via the genuine partnership approach that Devon Wildlife Trust is leading and the huge interest in this keystone species shown by the general public."

Dr Sam Bridgewater, conservation manager for Clinton Devon Estates, said: “There was a lot of stiff competition. The award is testament to the hard work of all the partners involved.

"Clinton Devon Estates recognises that the beavers can have great benefits for wildlife and society and this award is affirmation that these benefits are being recognised nationally.

"We are very grateful to everyone who has voted for this project.”

Devon-based mammal expert and project partner Derek Gow said:

“I am over the moon that the Devon Beaver Trial has been given this recognition.

"I have worked with this magnificent species for 22 years. It is just brilliant that BBC Countryfile Magazine have recognised the importance of beavers in the presentation of this award.”

Chairman of Natural England, Andrew Sells, said:

“I would like to add my congratulations to Devon Wildlife Trust for their work on this programme.

"Their careful planning and monitoring of England’s first wild population of beavers for 400 years continues to provide us with important evidence on any impacts which a potential reintroduction might have.

"This is an exciting time for conservation and their award success is a clear indication that many people are very supportive of this scheme.”

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For more information about the River Otter Beaver Trial please visit devonwildlifetrust.org/river-otter-beavers