Family of beavers released
A family of beavers were successfully moved to Loch Lomond – marking a major milestone for the species’ return in Scotland.
RSPB Scotland translocated a family group of seven beavers to the Loch Lomond National Nature Reserve with a helping hand from Lorna Slater, Minister for Green Skills, Circular Economy and Biodiversity.
Loch Lomond is only the third location in Scotland where a beaver translocation has taken place since the reintroduction trial at Knapdale in Argyll in 2009.
The pair of beavers and their five young offspring (two yearlings and three kits) were moved from an area in Tayside as part of plans to speed up the return of beavers to the Loch Lomond National Nature Reserve, which is jointly managed by RSPB Scotland, Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Authority and Naturescot.
However, the move sparked concern from residents and farmers in Gartocharn, as well as anglers on Loch Lomond and the Endrick.
Last year anglers outlined their fears that the release of beavers into Loch Lomond will damage riverbanks, harm the Atlantic salmon population and end up costing landowners – as well as the public purse.
However, RSPB Scotland, the nature conservation charity leading this effort, anticipates that the beavers which it labels ‘nature’s engineers’ will create and enhance habitats and boost biodiversity in the NNR helping to address both the climate and nature emergencies.
Biodiversity Minister Lorna Slater said:
“This once lost species were driven to extinction in Scotland, but are becoming an established part of our natural environment once again.
“Now children growing up in Scotland will grow up alongside beavers - learning about the amazing things that they do, like natural flood management, and creating wetland habitats that support a range of other species.
“This represents an amazing story of regaining something that was lost.”
Anne Mccall, director of RSPB Scotland, said: “We are delighted to have been able to offer a home to this family of beavers, speeding up their return to Loch Lomond.
“The National Nature Reserve in Gartocharn, with its mix of open water, fen and wet woodland is a perfect place for them.
“As nature’s engineers they manage and create habitat in ways we could never hope to replicate.”
Gordon Watson, Chief Executive at Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park Authority, added “This release of a family of beavers at Loch Lomond is a positive step forward both for the natural environment here in the National Park and for the national Beaver Strategy and the impact it can have on supporting biodiversity in Scotland.
“These are not our first beavers – beavers have already been moving into other areas of the National Park for many years now and surveys show that they are likely to thrive in the habitat around Loch Lomond.
“Evidence shows that beavers can co-exist with us in modern landscapes and bring multiple benefits, from creating wetland habitats that support multiple species to helping mitigate flooding.”