Scots back return of beavers in government consultation

Survey finds 83% of people support reintroduction, but there are concerns

Scots want more beavers, according to the results of a government consultation published yesterday.

Once hunted for their glandular oil and fur, beavers became extinct in Scotland in the 16th Century.

Respondents to the consultation were asked if they approved of the formal reintroduction of the aquatic rodents to the country.

A pilot reintroduction project has been running since 2009 in Argyll, and more than 400 feral beavers, the progeny of animals escaped from private collections or illegally released, have made their homes in the Tay and Earn river catchment areas in Perthshire and Angus.

The Scottish Government said that more than 500 replies had been received to its consultation, with more than 83% of respondents saying they agreed with the policy of reintroducing the species in Scotland.

Some “concerns” were raised, principally by land managers on the importance of long-term funding and a viable management framework to support effective mitigation measures.

Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham said: “The reintroduction of the beaver to Scotland, after the species was hunted to extinction centuries ago, is testament to the Scottish Government’s commitment to Scotland’s biodiversity, and it’s very encouraging to see the vast majority of respondents to the consultation agree with that decision.

“However, we are very aware that the reintroduction has potential impacts, in particular in areas of prime agricultural land, which some groups are understandably concerned about.

“This is why we have been at pains to work collaboratively with stakeholders wherever possible to discuss those concerns, evaluate potential impacts, and come up with practical and proportionate solutions or mitigation measures where possible.” She added: “We continue to move forward with our intentions to introduce legislation to give beavers protected species status.”

Beavers, Europe’s largest aquatic rodent, are active at dusk and dawn, and eat aquatic plants, shrubs and tree bark. They also build dams on rivers which scientists have found boosts biodiversity by creating habitats for other animals, but they can be a threat to agriculture.

Scottish Natural Heritage is developing a “migration scheme” to move beavers from areas where they are in danger of doing damage, to areas where they can safely thrive.

We are very aware there are potential impacts. ROSEANNA CUNNINGHAM

Beavers build dams in rivers which can boost biodiversity by creating habitats for other animals.