ST MARY’S Hall in Dawlish Warren was a hive of activity as it recently hosted an event celebrating Teignbridge’s ‘Wildlife Wardens’.

Organised by Action on Climate Teignbridge’s Wildlife Warden Co-ordinator, Vicky, the event saw wildlife wardens and members of the pubic hear a talk from husband and wife team, Professor Tim Kendell and Professor Fiona Mattews, of the Universities of Exeter and Sussex respectively.

Cllr Jane Taylor and Cllr Janet Bradford were also in attendance, the former descrying the event as ‘fascinating, informative and a resounding success’.

The audience learned of the 1948 beaver drop, a Idaho Department of Fish and Game program to relocate beavers from Northwestern Idaho to the Chamberlain Basin in Central Idaho.

The program involved moving 76 beavers by airplane and parachuting them down to the ground.

It was this event which inspired the name of Fiona and Tim’s new book, ‘Black Ops and Beaver Bombing’, a celebration of Britain’s mammals, and a rallying cry to save them.

Attendees were given an overview of the feasibility study to bring wildcats back to Devon.

The University of Exeter are running a survey until May 23 on the matter.

‘The resounding message to local councils and policy makers is that consideration needs to be given to protect our wildlife and have a clear strategy to manage verges and other public green spaces’ Cllr Taylor said.

‘Through education and leadership we can create the habitat to allow our nature to thrive’ she added.