Eurasians are native species
The Scottish Government announced in November that the Eurasian beaver was to be formally recognised as a native species, 400 years after being hunted to extinction in the UK.
Returning beavers to Scotland’s lochs and rivers is the first formal mammal reintroduction in UK history and the two lead partners in the Scottish Beaver Trial - The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) and the Scottish Wildlife Trust - recently welcomed news an established population on the River Tay was to be allowed to remain.
They also said that in order for the species to have a long-term future in Scotland, further releases will be necessary, although they recognise beaver activity needs to be monitored and managed, particularly where it impacts on other land uses.
Supporters say the benefits of beavers include: creating new wetlands that support a wide range of other species such as otters, water voles, fish and dragonflies; creating more diverse woodlands through naturally coppicing trees; and helping to regulate flooding and improve water quality. They also say they are a boost to the £127million wildlife tourism economy sector.
The National Farmers Union, however, feels nature should be allowed to take its course rather than any targeted reintroduction.
NFI deputy director of policy Andrew Bauer said: “Whilst beavers will change the flow of water in rivers it’s an assumption too far to say they can have a significant effect when you have a large issue.
“They will slow down the flow on the river so when you have a flood that might occur a couple of times a year they will have an impact. But if it’s a massive flood it would be very doubtful they would have a significant positive effect.
“We have seen plenty examples of where beavers have blocked culverts and ditches. The overarching principle for us is that beavers are already naturally spreading across Tayside.
“While we accept beavers are here to stay, NFU Scotland would certainly be opposed to the reintroduction of beavers into the Trossachs.”