Farmers ‘in race to shoot beavers before ban starts’
FARMERS and gamekeepers are shooting as ‘many beavers as possible’ before a ban on killing them is introduced, wildlife experts have claimed.
The Scottish Government has been considering the legal protection of wild beavers since June 2015 and a decision is expected later this year.
But officials have been told farmers and gamekeepers in Tayside are rushing to kill the animals ahead of any ban.
In correspondence with Scottish Government officials, released under Freedom of Information laws with names redacted, a beaver expert claimed: ‘I was giving a talk to the Strathmore and Forfar farmers. It was clear farmers and gamekeepers are shooting as many beavers as possible before they become protected.
‘I suspect they will be just shooting them in the water, which might result in injuries rather than death.’
The reply from the Government’s environmental directorate, dated February 12 this year, said this was ‘depressing, but not too surprising’.
It added: ‘It is not lawful to be in possession of a beaver carcass without a licence so I presume they are just leaving them where they fall – or more likely shooting them in the water or pushing them in the water.’
Around 150 beavers live wild on the Tay, the Earn, the Isla and connecting rivers and burns.
They have either escaped from captivity or were illegally introduced about ten years ago and have since bred and thrived.
Conservationists want them to be allowed to stay, while many farmers and landowners say they destroy farmland.
Paul Ramsay, of the Scottish Wild Beaver Group, said: ‘An urgent response is needed by Government to protect these much loved animals.’
Andrew Bauer of the National Farmers Union in Scotland, said: ‘It remains a huge source of frustration to farmers that decisions about the beaver population remain outstanding.’
A spokesman for the Scottish Government said: ‘The Scottish Government has urged land managers to heed advice to prevent female beavers being shot when they are pregnant or have dependent young.’