Sunday Mail (UK)

A dam disgrace

RESCUED BEAVERS CHUCKED OUT OF SCOTLAND

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can’t release him in Scotland.

Derek Gow, who has worked on the animals’ reintroduc­tion across the UK, said he has moved about 10 beavers from Scotland to England in 12 months.

He said: “It’s absolutely crazy. Why in the hell would you be sending them to England if Scotland was supportive about their reintroduc­tion?

“There’s no reason apart from politics.

“All we have here is bi g fa rmers shout ing loudly – and the Scottish Government backing down.”

Dr Roi sin Campbel lPalmer, a beaver expert and environmen­tal consultant, said: “It’s far from ideal as there is plenty of habitat in Scotland suitable to home beavers. However, these are beavers that have been trapped in a lot of cases and the alternativ­e would be that they are killed.

“I prefer to see them being taken to England than killed.”

A Scottish SPCA spokesman said: “Due to current licencing restrictio­ns, the beaver cannot be released anywhere legally in Scotland but the area it was picked up from.

“As there is a welfare issue with putting it back in the territory it was found, we would have to relocate the beaver and we cannot do this due to the restrictio­ns.

“The beaver is going to be relocated, and released, in England.

“It would be preferable if we could release beavers in Scotland and would support thi s move should the

 ??  ?? POLITICS Derek Gow said the move is crazy
EXPERT
Eco consultant Dr Roisin Campbell-Palmer
POLITICS Derek Gow said the move is crazy EXPERT Eco consultant Dr Roisin Campbell-Palmer

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