Beavers on River Otter in Devon could stay free

Beavers living on the River Otter in Devon could be allowed to remain in the wild if free of disease. The government had intended to capture six beavers, test for disease and re-home them in captivity. It is unclear where the beavers came from, but campaigners say they should be allowed to stay. The government has now indicated that the beavers could be tested near the river and released if disease-free. In October, environmental charity Friends of the Earth, launched a legal challenge over the government's claim that the beavers were non-native, could be diseased, and should be removed. It is believed the group, including three juveniles born this year, are the only wild beavers in England. 'Positive steps' A spokeswoman for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said: "Our priority has been to ensure humane treatment for the beavers while safeguarding human health, so we'll be testing the beavers close to the River Otter which will be better for their welfare than moving them elsewhere.red more-http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-devon-30043619