Argyll beaver project hailed a big success
Work to reinforce the beaver population in Argyll has successfully boosted their numbers in the area.
Scottish Beavers, a partnership between the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) and the Scottish Wildlife Trust, released 21 beavers into Knapdale Forest between 2017 and 2019 to bolster the population amid fears it might disappear.
B et ween 2009 and 2010, 16 beavers were released into the forest as part of the Scottish Beaver Trial, which aimed to bring the species back to Scotland after 400 years.
However, a survey in 2016 found a minimum of eight animals remained at the trial site and it was deemed there was a "chance" that Knapdale's beaver population could disappear.
But a new report says the reinforcement project has been a success, with the endangered species more widespread and breeding throughout the area, while it has also increased the genetic diversity of Knapdale's population.
Gill Dow se, a manager at Scottish Wildlife Trust, said: "A limited number of be avers were introduced during the trial so it was important to go back and release more beavers, giving them a good chance to thrive.
"After three years of fieldwork we can be confident this reinforcement project has been a success and that we have done all we can to bolster the wild population in Knapdale.
"Encouraging a thriving beaver population in Scotland is an important step towards tack ling the crisis facing nature. Bringing them back helps a huge range of other species, from dragonflies to otters.
"There are also substantial
benefits for society, ranging from improved water quality to new opportunities for wildlife tourism."
During the reinforcement project, 17 adult beavers were released, two of which died. Four kits were also released, but three are confirmed dead and the whereabouts of the fourth is unknown.
The final report from the Scottish Beavers Reinforcement Project, published today, contains a number of recommendations to secure a longterm future for the animals in
Scotland. These include developing a national conservation action plan for beavers, permitting re introductions in other suitable areas of Scotland and widening the" founder base" by introducing more animals from Europe.
It also recommends developing a genetic database of all beavers involved in translocations in the UK.
Helen Taylor, RZSS conservation programme manager, said: "Monitoring the beaver population in Knap dale for the past three years and track
ing the fortunes of these newly released animals has painted a clear picture of a steadily growing population that is beginning to spread out into all the various water ways available in Knapdale Forest.
"It's been fantastic that the project provided an initial solution for moving beavers from high-conflict areas in Tayside into Knapdale, where their positive impacts on the environment and on native biodiversity are clear to see."