Utah state wildlife officers have announced that a disease responsible for the recent beaver deaths in the northern part of the US state could affect humans. Since March 23, the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR) has found nine beavers dead in Utah, Summit and Wasatch counties.

Utah state wildlife officers have announced that a disease responsible for the recent beaver deaths in the northern part of the US state could affect humans. Since March 23, the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR) has found nine beavers dead in Utah, Summit and Wasatch counties. The Swaner Preserve & EcoCenter staff discovered the initial five deceased beavers between March 23 and April 2. The beavers lived together in a lodge at the preserve and were all found in the same area. Tests on three revealed that they had tularemia, also known as rabbit fever, hare plague and deer fly fever. Bacteria transmitted by tick and deer fly bites can cause the disease. It can also spread through direct contact with an infected animal's blood or tissue, drinking contaminated water or eating undercooked meat from an infected animal. ALSO READ | Pluto has heart-shaped feature on its surface, and scientists now know how Tularemia is not only a threat to beavers, rabbits and rodents. The disease can also reach humans, usually via bug bite. The DWR reported, "The disease can be life-threatening for people if not treated quickly." However, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, most infections are treatable with antibiotics. “The bacteria that causes this infection is known to be in the environment in many parts of Utah; however, it is unusual to see this many animals die from it at once,” DWR veterinarian Ginger Stout said in the release. “There is a concern about the possibility of tick-borne or fly-borne diseases, so it’s advised to take the necessary precautions by wearing protective clothing, using appropriate insect repellent, and checking for ticks after being in brushy areas,” Stout added. Individuals who come across deceased rabbits, beavers, or other rodents should avoid the carcasses and report them to the nearest DWR office, according to officials. The symptoms of tularemia might vary from person to person. They may include ulcers on the skin where the bite occurred, swollen glands in the armpit, groin coughing, chest pain and difficulty breathing. Before this, the most recent wildlife death from tularemia was confirmed when a rabbit died in 2017. To keep yourself safe, wear a bug repellant, long sleeves and pants to avoid bites, and check for ticks after visiting bushy areas, DWR officers advised. (With inputs from agencies)

Disease killing beavers in Utah can also be contracted by humans, officials warn

New evidence has surfaced challenging age-old assumptions about early human diets,&nbsp;often referred to as hominins, which had until now suggested that meat from large animals was a significant part of their meals. Hominins were hunters and gatherers, but their diets included more than just hunting large animals for food and turns out beavers were on the food menu as well.

A joint study by researchers from Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU), the Leibniz Zentrum für Archäologie (LEIZA), and Leiden University, published in Scientific Reports, suggested that around 400,000 years ago, early humans not only hunted but also skillfully processed and consumed beavers.

It is now throwing light on a previously overlooked diversity in the culinary choices of early humans.

<h2>Misconception and new evidence&nbsp;</h2>

The misconception was&nbsp;due to the lack of well-preserved remains from small mammals and plants. And because of this, until now, it&nbsp;was a prevalent belief that early archaic humans primarily subsisted on larger animals.

However, bones from 94 beavers found in a 400,000-year-old hominin site in Bilzingsleben, Germany, exhibited cut marks attributed to stone tools.&nbsp;This unveiled that stone tool could have been used for the intricate processing of beaver carcasses by early humans.

The ability to hunt and consume meat from large animals is often associated with the development of tools, such as spears and later, more sophisticated hunting technologies.

It's important to note that the exact composition of early human diets would have varied depending on factors such as geographic location, climate, and available resources. Over time, as humans developed agriculture, there was a shift towards a more varied diet that included domesticated plants and animals.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/how-ineffective-are-vitamin-d-supplements-in-children-biggest-ever-clinical-trial-finds-out-665392">How (in)effective are Vitamin D supplements in children? Biggest-ever clinical trial finds out</a>

The majority of these remains found as evidence in the study, primarily young adult beavers, pointed to a deliberate strategy of targeting inexperienced yet fully grown, fat-rich animals, challenging prior assumptions about early humans' dietary habits.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/wine-tasting-with-ai-scientists-achieve-spirited-breakthrough-in-artificial-intelligence-domain-665372">Wine tasting with AI? Scientists achieve spirited breakthrough in Artificial Intelligence domain</a>

The cut mark distribution also suggested a focus on beaver skins, highlighting the multifaceted use of these animals by our ancient ancestors.

Watch |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/dinosaurs-may-have-influenced-human-aging-know-how-665403">Dinosaurs may have influenced human aging: Know How</a>

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Study authors stressed on the importance of this discovery, with Professor Sabine Gaudzinski-Windheuser noting, “The Bilzingsleben beaver exploitation evidence demonstrates a greater diversity of prey choice by Middle Pleistocene hominins than commonly acknowledged, and a much deeper history of broad-spectrum subsistence than commonly assumed.”

(With inputs from agencies)

New evidence has surfaced challenging age-old assumptions about early human diets, often referred to as hominins, which had until now suggested that meat from large animals was a significant part of their meals.

New evidence has surfaced challenging age-old assumptions about early human diets, often referred to as hominins, which had until now suggested that meat from large animals was a significant part of their meals. Hominins were hunters and gatherers, but their diets included more than just hunting large animals for food and turns out beavers were on the food menu as well. A joint study by researchers from Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU), the Leibniz Zentrum für Archäologie (LEIZA), and Leiden University, published in Scientific Reports, suggested that around 400,000 years ago, early humans not only hunted but also skillfully processed and consumed beavers. It is now throwing light on a previously overlooked diversity in the culinary choices of early humans. Misconception and new evidence The misconception was due to the lack of well-preserved remains from small mammals and plants. And because of this, until now, it was a prevalent belief that early archaic humans primarily subsisted on larger animals. However, bones from 94 beavers found in a 400,000-year-old hominin site in Bilzingsleben, Germany, exhibited cut marks attributed to stone tools. This unveiled that stone tool could have been used for the intricate processing of beaver carcasses by early humans. The ability to hunt and consume meat from large animals is often associated with the development of tools, such as spears and later, more sophisticated hunting technologies. It's important to note that the exact composition of early human diets would have varied depending on factors such as geographic location, climate, and available resources. Over time, as humans developed agriculture, there was a shift towards a more varied diet that included domesticated plants and animals. Also Read | How (in)effective are Vitamin D supplements in children? Biggest-ever clinical trial finds out The majority of these remains found as evidence in the study, primarily young adult beavers, pointed to a deliberate strategy of targeting inexperienced yet fully grown, fat-rich animals, challenging prior assumptions about early humans' dietary habits. Also Read | Wine tasting with AI? Scientists achieve spirited breakthrough in Artificial Intelligence domain The cut mark distribution also suggested a focus on beaver skins, highlighting the multifaceted use of these animals by our ancient ancestors. Watch | Dinosaurs may have influenced human aging: Know How × Study authors stressed on the importance of this discovery, with Professor Sabine Gaudzinski-Windheuser noting, “The Bilzingsleben beaver exploitation evidence demonstrates a greater diversity of prey choice by Middle Pleistocene hominins than commonly acknowledged, and a much deeper history of broad-spectrum subsistence than commonly assumed.” (With inputs from agencies)

400,000-year-old twist: Beavers were on food menu for early humans, reveals study

Beavers are now a protected species in England. The decision comes around 400 years after the species was hunted to extinction.

WION Climate Tracker: Britain makes 'disturbing' beavers illegal

Beavers are often nature's best friend, but the rapid rise in the Beaver population in Siberia are increasing carbon emissions. Beaver's invasive traits add to the struggle of scientists to stop them.

The rising population of Beavers driving up carbon emissions in Siberia

Beavers are back - literally! For the first time in 400 years, beavers have built a dam in Exmoor, England. Beavers are semi-aquatic rodents, and they were introduced into the region by the National Trust, who also undertook restoration work in the area.

The dam was spotted at the Holnicote Estate close to Minehead in England. These were also the first beavers to be released into the wild by the trust in 125 years of its existence.&nbsp;The dam creation process includes collection of vegetation.&nbsp;After they moved into a 2.7 acre enclosure in January, the trust, along with the Exeter University have been monitoring them.

SkyNews reported that local workers and rangers have referred to the beavers as “ecosystem engineers” for they have successfully created a wetland just nine months after water was introduced.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/wuhan-food-markets-are-selling-wild-animals-again-324272" hreflang="en">Wuhan food markets are selling wild animals, again</a>

The construction done by beavers has created deep pools of water - which not only provides animals protection from predators but also a safe place to hoard food.

Humans also get the benefits of this creation. Beaver dams are capable of preventing flood, as they slow down the stream water and then store water as it flows. The project manager, Ben Eardley told Sky News that owing to the ongoing climate crisis which continues to worse, beaver dams are one of many solutions.

He referred to the dam as “incredibly special”, and says that the appearance of such dams is testimony to the changing landscape.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/fatal-crashes-including-wild-animals-dipped-by-over-50-due-to-coronavirus-restrictions-says-study-324252" hreflang="en">Fatal crashes including wild animals dipped by over 50% due to coronavirus restrictions, says study</a>

Even though the dam has been in place for only a few weeks, it has been able to create a wetland! Eardley claims that they have spotted kingfishers. With the extension of habitat, they expect to see amphibians, insects, bats, and birds.

While referring to the rain that took place in the region recently, he said that this is testimony to the role played by beavers in engineering the landscape.

In the 16th century, beavers became extinct in the UK, for they were hunted for fur, meat, and scent glands. Over the last 20 years, the animals have been reintroduced in the country.

Beavers are back - literally! For the first time in 400 years, beavers have built a dam in Exmoor, England. Beavers are semi-aquatic rodents, and they were introduced into the region by the National Trust, who also undertook restoration work in the area.

Beavers are back - literally! For the first time in 400 years, beavers have built a dam in Exmoor, England. Beavers are semi-aquatic rodents, and they were introduced into the region by the National Trust, who also undertook restoration work in the area. The dam was spotted at the Holnicote Estate close to Minehead in England. These were also the first beavers to be released into the wild by the trust in 125 years of its existence. The dam creation process includes collection of vegetation. After they moved into a 2.7 acre enclosure in January, the trust, along with the Exeter University have been monitoring them. SkyNews reported that local workers and rangers have referred to the beavers as “ecosystem engineers” for they have successfully created a wetland just nine months after water was introduced. Also read: Wuhan food markets are selling wild animals, again The construction done by beavers has created deep pools of water - which not only provides animals protection from predators but also a safe place to hoard food. Humans also get the benefits of this creation. Beaver dams are capable of preventing flood, as they slow down the stream water and then store water as it flows. The project manager, Ben Eardley told Sky News that owing to the ongoing climate crisis which continues to worse, beaver dams are one of many solutions. He referred to the dam as “incredibly special”, and says that the appearance of such dams is testimony to the changing landscape. Also read: Fatal crashes including wild animals dipped by over 50% due to coronavirus restrictions, says study Even though the dam has been in place for only a few weeks, it has been able to create a wetland! Eardley claims that they have spotted kingfishers. With the extension of habitat, they expect to see amphibians, insects, bats, and birds. While referring to the rain that took place in the region recently, he said that this is testimony to the role played by beavers in engineering the landscape. In the 16th century, beavers became extinct in the UK, for they were hunted for fur, meat, and scent glands. Over the last 20 years, the animals have been reintroduced in the country.

'Ecosystem engineers': Beavers create first dam in Exmoor, England in over 400 years!

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