Beavers Without Borders: a short documentary

A brand new short documentary produced for Beaver Trust, following science communicator Sophie Pavelle on a journey of discovery, as she visits sites around Britain where beavers have been reintroduced. Meeting the extraordinary people behind their story so far, this film explores what a future might look like, with beavers living wild in our landscapes and rivers across Britain.
Written & produced by: Nina Constable Media
Presenter: Sophie Pavelle
Executive producer: James Wallace (Beaver Trust CEO)
Partners: The European Nature Trust, Hagan Family Foundation
Follow us on social media; @beavertrust
Support our work: beavertrust.org
#BeaversWithoutBorders

[@mefford67]

*I’ve read that with the reintroduction of wolves into Yellowstone they pressured the elk to move frequently when feeding. This allowed the willows to recover and beaver soon followed. They’ve altered the landscaped markedly and now Yellowstone also has a larger moose population. They’re downright amazing!* 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@Chris.Davies]

Yellowstone Park is the ultimate demonstration of disastrous mismanagement. It is a litany of horrendous mistakes which essentially destroyed the ecosystem of Yellowstone. Killing the 300 million beavers in America effectively destroyed the North American landscape, and turned the country into a desert. Practically the only way to restore the USA is to populate the country with 150 million beavers.

[@kevinsabharwal1822]

It's true. God is the most brilliant architect. Every species has It's purpose.

[@blabla-rg7ky]

@@kevinsabharwal1822 not every species. Snakes, spiders, scorpions, centipedes, mosquitos and other abominations need to be wiped out. Whoever had created these horrors had been truly evil

[@josh._-_]

@@blabla-rg7ky without spiders you would be breathing in bugs everytime you step outside without snakes you'd be walking over rodents

[@blabla-rg7ky]

@@josh._-_ no, I wouldn't! There are planets out there devoid of any insect or dangerous animal, they are literal Paradises, so its possible to have such a world, we don't need any of this shit

[@KaleighMacKay]

As a Canadian, it fills me with pride to see our well known iconic animal to be seen as a solution to problems not as a pest. 🇨🇦

[@hughfranklin3072]

Beavers are natures way of managing rivers, and they do it a lot better than humans.

[@logspiral]

thank you for this. My daughter wanted a "telling story" about creatures so I chose a little vole who was unsure whether the beavers belonged in her wood when they got reintroduced. all the woodland creatures had to find out that beavers were native and welcomed them back. then she asked if it was true - and I found this video which we enjoyed a lot

[@callumevans7113]

A fantastic insight into why beavers are critically important to the ecology and survival of rivers and wetlands!

[@segamai]

Terrific little doc, very informative and inspiring. I hope the UK gets it’s act together and facilitates the re-introduction of beavers everywhere that they belong

[@speerboom]

Here in the Netherlands they reintroduced beavers in the late 80‘s and early 2000‘s. Thanks to the interconnected river systems in this country (don’t forget a huge chunk is the Rhine-Meuse-Scheldt riverdelta) they are spreading all over the country all by themselves. The UK’s rivers aren’t as interconnected naturally like ours are, but there are plenty of canals that connect lots of rivers and streams I believe. Perhaps beavers’ll spread out all by themselves like it is happening here in the NL?

[@samgandy3427]

A beautifully shot and uplifting doc, a fantastic achievement, it gives me hope for the future of Britain's wildlife.

[@petermars5997]

Thanks a lot for this video. Beaver is wonderful creature For our nature. And very friendly to our nature Hope ore government to make Education program on media to educate Our people to save our nature.

[@PaynesPrairie]

At a time when there is so much negative news about our impact on nature, how encouraging to see examples of people recognizing the benefits of biodiversity. Thanks to beavers.

[@ariktaranis3016]

Happy that beavers are back in Britain!!

[@DuncanPepper]

Awesome piece, well done all.

[@CBielski87]

would be nicer to see more beaver footage i'm here to watch beaver action, not monologues or watch someone listening intently

[@tesha199]

It's not the only video on YT

[@spacecase7566]

Beautifully done. Appreciated seeing this from 🇨🇦.

[@wildhorse2084]

We need a shirt that says "Beavers Without Borders"

[@Leon-zv2oo]

Nice filmed and nice handled video!

[@Reayendgoldstar]

I live not too far from Lowther and know the 'park' well so I am very excited to support Beavers in Cumbria, I will be interested to follow this storey.

[@annaglenn3490]

I use to be disappointed that the beaver was the national animal for Canada. However after doing research and observing beavers in the wild, I’m proud they represent Canada. They are incredible engineers and their damns benefit all the animals & insects within its reach. Also, most damns are built by 2 year olds which is so damn fascinating.

[@mahanly]

Thank you

[@rthomas6946]

Beavers Rule!

[@patrickhamos2987]

beavers are a miracle of life

[@LeaveCurious]

this is such a solid video, well done everyone & the beavers, of course.

[@rodmaloney5484]

AWESOME documentary.........Its all about education on how GOOD beavers are for the environment, wildlife, nature and creating healthy ecosystems for other wild creatures and ultimately for man and positive changes for the climate

[@MHarenArt]

They are doing the same thing here in the States in various areas by limiting and managing cattle grazing which destroys the riparian plants. It took a few years but the dry creek beds filled again, and began providing water again to a drought ravaged area. It's all a matter of compromised and cooperative management.

[@leowillis8188]

fantastic job :)

[@philbamber8396]

A wonderful film!

[@rosefinch3759]

Great documentary! I hope to see the reestablishment of this keystone species to our watercourses.

[@itsrachelfish]

Wow a single beaver family saved a town 300,000 euros by building a dam, inadvertently preventing floods. Amazing!

[@englishrose4388]

Beavers are also key for water soaking into the land, which with the climate change is huge. And that they’re also protectors against wildfires. Great docu-I hope it gets the widespread attention that it deserves.

[@sarahhughes-games8538]

The Atlantic salmon is known as Salmo saler which translates as the leeper. it is named for a reason.

[@billsmith5109]

In the western U.S. a saying is beavers taught salmon to jump.

[@wrightgregson9761]

i cán see in the aerial shots that the brooks and streams have all been channelized into straight lines---nô meanders, no flood plains etc. There will have to be considerable work with the field and pasture owners to encourage them to see the value of allowing rivers to take a more natural flow pattern.

[@julianocabral1343]

Well made documentary. Thank you for the engagement to beaver conservation!

[@davidnierzwick2775]

Very well done documentary, thank you!

[@minutestream316films9]

Amazing!!!

[@dopeymark]

I have been monitoring local Virginia wetlands for over 30 years. The thing that amazes me is that it has taken so long for people to recognize the beneficial nature of beavers. They literally reshape the landscape and bring life where there would be possibly little more than a puddle.

[@veawbpun8514]

Beavers are majestic

[@thomasshelby4795]

The grand daddies of engineers, they build damn, don't need a salary or construction equipment. Absolutely brilliant. Last but not least, they don't steal from the project, using lesser quality materials and pocketing the difference.

[@seanrichards9957]

Beavers are truly amazing animals

[@nickos2079]

So nice to see! Great video, great shots and well presented!

[@davidrainbow370]

Thank you for this wonderful film about not only the magnificent Beavers, but about our great need, as was said: "TO PUT NATURE FIRST." This will help create a more kind and loving world, which is a deep longing in my heart. All of Nature and her Beings, Animals, Trees, Whales and all others, give humanity freely and without reservation, love and wisdom that is so far beyond my own. Bless all of you who are working for the beautiful Beavers, and therefore for the whole world. David Rainbow (Australia) Communicator with the Souls of the Natural World

[@admojoremdeigloriam]

Thanks for the great Doc. Pity we didn't get beavers in New Zealand

[@paulgriffiths4224]

inspiring and beautifully presented, thankyou!

[@robstafford8306]

From England and as people realise we live on a relatively small set of islands. It Made national news a few years ago when a family of beavers randomly appeared on a watershed, where across the nation we had big trending increases in rainfall and flooding. Now, in my humble opinion, beavers are seen, not just improving the ecology and biodiversity of streams and rivers but also slowing and putting water runoff into the ground.

[@magneticboy]

Hey! Thanks for all the effort that went into this documentary. A brilliant exploration into the wide ranging questions this subject provokes. The interviewer very engaging, with brilliant questions eloquently asked of all interviewees. I sensed a tantamount excitement about how important nature actually is and how valuable beaver is in rebuilding ecosystems. Of course beaver reintroduction isn’t viable everywhere, but this makes a very strong case of encouraging it where best suited. Thank you and congratulations on such a brilliant film.

[@dkl6362]

Excellent. Love this video, because it shows just what these amazing creatures do for our world. I believe, that they would certainly help bring back life, to alot of barren and drought stricken areas. Thank you for standing up for these little engineers.

[@cinemaipswich4636]

Before the Europeans got to North America, it was estimated that there were 50 million beaver dams.

[@brendanscott2564]

Amazing love it! definitely something I want to get behind!

[@ADDeeJay]

FREE THE BEAVERS.

[@GardensoftheAncientsHerbal]

I live in Texas and there were beavers that lived along the creek near my house and the creek was always full of fish huge fish and tons of them and the grass was always green and the cows were healthy and then the farmers decided that the beavers were a nuisance and killed them all the spring that fed that creek dried up and no longer produces water and the cows are dying of thirst and they have to have the water pump in now and on top of that of course there’s no fish to catch and everything‘s dry. All because they killed one family of beavers imagine if they just let the beavers go wild but people can’t imagine water being on the land they see it as some negative thing when really it’s a positive

[@zapfanzapfan]

Good little documentary! I have the same table as Sophie, she must have good taste :-)

[@vlad.vasilev.94]

The reason I'm here is because breeding pair of beavers has settled in Bulgarian River for the first time in 150 years! I hope you have a great day. Wonderful video!

[@qaswedfr1234]

excellent informative video

[@gregorybyrne2453]

Africa needs beavers.

[@ChloeRoseHarrison]

Wow... this is the best piece I've seen on beavers yet, this was such a beautiful and inspiring watch! I came away with so much hope. A fully recovered British ecosystem would be an incredible place to be...

[@PacoOtis]

Bravo ! You are a breath of fresh air! Thanks for sharing and the very best of luck!

[@terredee]

Wonderful video!! Very well done, Thank you! Derek Gow is my hero. I’m almost finished reading his very inspiring and entertaining book, “Bringing Back the Beaver: The Story of One Man's Quest to Rewild Britain's Waterways”. So glad to see him in person.

[@briankleinschmidt3664]

I've always been a big beaver fan.

[@adventuresofdamianstobie8211]

Brilliant documentary I have beavers where I live amazing things

[@K1ddkanuck]

As a Canadian, I approve this video.

[@andyscud5842]

i live in north wales and we have some wild beavers turn up to our lake. only found them 3 days ago. Its amazing

[@mrow7598]

On the west coast of the US, they're finding where they reintroduced beavers rivers that would run dry in the summer now run all year long, more fish and other animal life, salmon now have breading areas to spawn in increasing the endangered salmon. In places that can't have beavers they're manually recreating beaver dams.

[@Jasmine-ez5td]

The future is beaver

[@tony-ug6ig]

Go beavers!!!! Thank you pretty lady 🌹

[@EEC350]

lovely!

[@lapaskiauras696]

my right ear enjoyed this video

[@timothyhammer6154]

Inspiring! The middle ground ideas here are absolutely the most important part of this documentary. Showing that there are ways to compromise without throwing out the whole plant to reintroduce is huge! And the speed reduction of water that beavers could have on floods would greatly reduce the need for city funded water mitigation efforts. Incredible information and well produced. This makes me want to get my own camera and use the foraging knowledge and hunting knowledge I have to increase environmental education and engagement through the use of film. Thank you.

[@wrightgregson9761]

how do fish cross beaver dams? Do they jump over the dam? Do they find openings in the dam?

[@Toningly]

both

[@tesha199]

They just buy a ticket to pass through

[@lolivator7255]

any possible way they can cross they will

[@daveshaw4067]

both

[@CJ-111]

Good work. We need them all across the UK

[@bobrevropsky1100]

Super channel

[@andrasattilatakacsdr.9799]

Congratulations and a big Thanks, very nice film. Authentic experts/stakeholders, amazing Broll footage, nice camera work. We have the same agri landscape in Hungary so we fight a lot with landowners. There is a downside to beaver activity although from the point of nature/biodiversity conservation, as 1) they change the speed of the creek and 2) make a reservoir not only for the native biodiversity but also the invasive ones also of which could overgrow the native one very fast and the invasive fishes can destroy the breeding amphibians' new generations ...

[@cunderw12]

We need beavers, and damns all over the world. This would probably assist with climate change. We want to tear everything down, when the animals are trying to build it back up. ❤️❤️

[@makishimizu5214]

Beautiful🍀

[@davee.9906]

Every animal plays a crucial role in an ecosystem and beavers are a vital part of theirs. They were here before us and hopefully they're here when we're all gone.

[@coniow]

A few miles down the road from where I live on the Isle of Wight is one of the proposed reintroduction schemes, on the Eastern Yar River, in the vicinity of Newchurch, if I am correct. Am I a supporter of this: Absolutely. Do I also have concerns? Also yes. I use the Red Squirrel Trail for travel from work where it follows the upper reaches of the river, and recreation where it follows the lower reaches. Both have flooding issues with breaching the banks over the path, the lower area near Alverstone Bridge more often, and to a depth of 14 inches (36 cm for youngsters). I know. I did not get through it and had to walk out. Up almost to my knees :-(. Beavers WILL help. But, with the release area between the two flood areas, will the upper area be more prone to flooding while the lower benefits, as water is held back? My hope is that long term they will travel up river and damm that as well, but in the short term, we will see!

[@scenemore]

came for beavers, stayed for sophie

[@The.Original.Potatocakes]

If a beaver family saved my town they would have the best building supplies and food.

[@aonyx5270]

6:02 Love the set aside of 20 m along streams to allow wildlife a home.

[@FREE_WILL_AAHhhhhhhhhhhhh]

I'm using what the beaver has taught me to catch rain and snow melt in the desert to create an oasis.... catching, spreading out and soaking in well over a million gallons with each opportunity.... hugelkultur, terracing, and mulch ohhhh my.

[@vincentrobinson9325]

🤘😍

[@HolloMatlala1]

13:57 Beavers have #WaterRights ❤🦫

[@ronbyers9912]

Beavers are keystone animals in their environments. The slow flooding and reduce desertification. Basically they hamonize the environment. Of course, they do chop down trees we might want to protect, but we can protect the trees we need.

[@grahamt5924]

Ok, I am sold on the idea. How do we get them back onto all our river systems in England then.

[@chrislecky710]

At some point in the future the quality of these aquatic environments may be of far more value to us than today and areas of natural wilderness and the diversity they sustain may become so rare that we see them as extremely valuable. What we have learnt over the last decade is that humanity must sustain a steady population growth just to ensure we do not go bust as booming to 7 billion means we need the population growth to sustain the reality we have built so situations of this sort will only get worst if we do not reassess our values before we get there.

[@stihlnz]

A great video, however it was difficult to hear some of the commentary due to the low volume of the talker and the high volume of music.

[@Chris.Davies]

New Zealand only ever had two species of bats as native mammals. As a narrow and relatively steep country, NZ has swiftly flowing rivers, and I wonder how beavers might improve the environment in our little island, by slowing water down and creating wetlands, raising the water table and increasing the soil's retention of water. I think NZ is in great need of dung beetles and beavers. Our cattle and sheep are laying incredible amounts of dung, and our native birds require habitat. It also would result in the explosion of the swamp-loving Kahikatea (NZ's tallest tree) and the mighty Kauri, with its perfectly circular 50-metre trunk (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agathis_australis) which would transform New Zealand.

[@unitedminds5633]

👌👍

[@mcpaintball]

I dunno, I'm torn between who wore the short shorts better, Sophie or the farmer lol

[@BirdWhisperer46]

Are beavers native to England?

[@choncord]

Yes. They were hunted to extinction.

[@Kingsaxxy3872]

Yes, they lived here for thousands of years but sadly went extinct on the island, now though they have not only made a reintroduced to England but also Scotland and Wales, and they have had two more recent releases in England again!.

[@josemartinezgonzalez2450]

Afortunadamente los castores europeos an regresando a España 🤝

[@marie-claudeguizot850]

Il faut réintroduire les castors en Espagne et au Portugal pour lutter contre la sécheresse et les incendies.

[@josemartinezgonzalez2450]

@@marie-claudeguizot850 Exacto.

[@BeautifuLakesStreamsBiologists]

The benefit of beaver goes beyond what is covered here. For instance by filling shallow aquifers in valleys adjacent to these streams, that persistent moisture builds more topsoil that holds even more water. Building soils does sequester carbon, but the reservoir of soil moisture they create has a greater benefit to the rivers during dry weather. It is critical to also note, beavers do not accomplish all of this alone. Healthy uplands of each river valley start the process by holding more moisture to support the rivers when the forests etc are healthy. The beaver enhance this. While this may not be apparent in wet climates like the UK, it is critical to arid regions of the Western US. Thus it is important to discuss these issues with people like watershed ecologists and hydrologists. You have to understand the whole picture before you can "paint" it.

[@joedisco]

Sophie's mic not working?

[@rminhas4549]

It’s interesting to see similar trends in ecological restorative practices on the other side of the world. Beavers are recognized as ecosystem engineers, but there are several species, especially burrowing animals that globally can be considered as such.

[@snorfallupagus6014]

Free the Beavers

[@snowysnowyriver]

Thankfully mankind has woken up and realised that many of the ecological ills caused by our wasteful selfish ways can be repaired by these incredible beautiful intelligent creatures. Beavers, as we know them today, have been around over 10 million years. They are one of the last remaining of the planet's original landscape managers, and we desperately need them. Killing them, or harming them should be illegal the world over and punishable by a lengthy prison sentence. We need the beaver to help us repair the damage we have caused. Shame on humankind for driving them to the edge of extinction.

[@dans3294]

Totally thought this video was about something else.

[@nonconstreamist5600]

apparently planes and parachutes were not needed this time like 1948 Idaho. #TheGreatBeaverDrop

[@ShubhamBhushanCC]

What a shame we hunted them to extinction for hats.

[@davehallett2977]

cute little host

[@youtubeforschoolwork9026]

Who's here for there science unit?

[@bmwall2222]

go OSU Beavs!

[@S117MasterMatt]

It's kind of funny watching this because where I am in Canada beavers are still seen as a pest in a lot of places

[@barnaby_moore]

11:05 ‘I’ve been hunting and fishing in these parts for years’

[@CBielski87]

a real conservationalist