New beavers to be freed in bid to bolster wild colony

● Up to 28 more animals will be let loose in Argyll

0 More beavers will be set free around lochans in Knapdale Forest, in Argyll, where a small population has been living since 2009 Scotland’s official wild beaver colony is set for a boost after conservationists were granted a special licence to bring in more of the animals to help ensure their survival.

Up to 28 more beavers will be set free around lochans in Knapdale Forest, in Argyll, where a small population has been living since a trial reintroduction project was launched in 2009.

The success of the five-year trial resulted in Scottish ministers

KILMARNOCK

granting the animals “native” status, allowing them to remain in the wild and spread naturally.

The move marked the first successful reintroduction of any wild mammal to the UK.

There are at least two other beaver colonies living wild in Scotland – a large one around Loch Tay in Perthshire and a small one near Beauly in the Highlands – thought to have sprung up after captive animals were illegally released.

Scientists believe bringing in new beavers will give the small Knapdale population the best possible chance of thriving in the long-term and increase its genetic diversity.

The animals will be sourced from a variety of locations and will be screened to ensure they are healthy before release.

The reinforcement will be carried out by Scottish Beavers, a new partnership between the Scottish Wildlife Trust (SWT) and the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS), under licence from Scottish Natural Heritage.

“Reinforcing the population at Knapdale is an exciting step forward for the future of beavers in Scotland,” said Susan Davies, director of conservation at SWT.

“Beavers are natural engineers with a unique ability to create new wetland habitats.

“They can benefit wildlife including otters, water voles, and dragonflies, and longterm research in Tayside has shown how their presence has revitalised previously drained land by doubling the range of plant species. The ponds and pools created behind beaver dams can also help improve water quality and regulate flooding, and their return to Scotland has great potential to boost our growing wildlife tourism industry.”

The number of beavers introduced in 2009 was deliberately kept low to allow their movements to be tracked.

Sarah Robinson, head of conservation and science for RZSS, added: “Now that it has been decided they can stay we have a duty to reinforce the population and ensure they have a chance to make their homes in the wider area.”