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Will beavers return to Wales?
Beaver
Those in favour say that beavers can improve water quality, boost biodiversity and prevent flooding.
Experts debate pros and cons of beavers

Beavers could be making a return to Wales hundreds of years after their disappearance, according to a report by BBC News.

Natural Resources Wales has selected the River Rheidol river in Ceredigion as the preferred location to reintroduce the animal, however work is continuing to assess the results of pilot projects elsewhere in the UK.

Those in favour say that beavers can improve water quality, boost biodiversity and prevent flooding. However, concern about their impact has been voiced to farmers' leaders.  

Speaking to BBC News, Tim Jones, executive director of operations for north and mid Wales at Natural Resources Wales, said that the possibility of reintroducing beavers to Welsh rivers needs "serious consideration."

He said that although beavers have the potential to improve water quality, wildlife and fish populations, the wider effects of reintroducing them should be looked at. This would include their effects on forestry, agriculture and flood defences, amongst many others.

The organisation is working with a number of partners to examine the evidence on the reintroduction of beavers and the outcomes of pilot projects elsewhere. Following this, if they are sure that it is the right thing to do, they will look at the options and the benefits and practical challenges of developing and continuing the project further.

However, Bernard Llewellyn, rural affairs board chairman of the farming union NFU Cymru, has said that he is concerned about potential diseases being spread to people and other animals, as well as about good agricultural land being lost to beavers.

Speaking to BBC Wales' Sunday Supplement programme, Adrian Lloyd Jones, leader of the Welsh Beaver Project, said that beavers would not spread any disease and they would bring many benefits to the surrounding countryside.

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Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here

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News Shorts
Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.