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News
Trial beaver reintroduction proposed
The Scottish Wildlife Trust (SWT) and the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) are proposing a trial reintroduction of the European beaver in Knapdale Forest in Mid-Argyll.The beaver was hunted to extinction in Scotland in the sixteenth century. The European beaver has a semi-aquatic lifestyle and an entirely vegetarian diet. The animals live in groups and can live up to eight years.
The SWT and the RZSS believe the time is right to bring the beaver back. They argue that the reintroduction would have a positive effect on environmental and woodland management, and on the wider biodiversity. There could also be an increase in wildlife tourism, with benefits to communities.
The proposed trial reintroduction would see 15 to 20 animals introduced to Knapdale Forest from Norway, following a quarantine period. The aim of the trial is to monitor the success of the beaver reintroduction to inform consideration of further reintroductions in other parts of Scotland.
Consultation
The SWT and the RZSS have launched a two-month consultation on the proposed trial in Knapsdale Forest to inform communities in Mid-Argyll of the proposals and allow them to give their views.
SWT’s Chief Executive Simon Milne said, "The launch of this local consultation is the first stage in the return of an important species missing from Scotland’s wildlife. It is vital that Argyll’s people are involved in this exciting project from the outset, and that they get the chance to share their support as well as any concerns they may have in relation to the beaver trial. The Scottish Wildlife Trust and the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland are committed to making this project a reality, but we need local support to make it a success. Together this is our chance to be the first country in the UK to bring back this charismatic and useful creature."
Ian Valentine, Head of Animals, Education and Conservation at the RZSS said, "Beaver reintroductions have proved to be very successful in over twenty other countries, and we believe the time is right to bring the beaver back to Scotland. As well as being a keystone species, in terms of the benefits they bring to ecosystems, they will also provide a socio-economic boost by increasing tourism in the local area. Knapdale is an ideal location to trial the re-introduction and the support of local residents is vital to the success of the project."
A licence is required before the trial can start. Responses to the local consultation will be gathered as part of the licence application. A summary will be made available to the public.
Effectively an introduction?
The Scottish Rural Property and Business Association (SRPBA) feel that after an absence of so long the re-introduction is effectively an introduction.
Doug McAdam, Chief Executive of the SRPBA commented, "The Scottish Rural Property and Business Association (SRPBA) maintains that the ‘re-introduction’ of the European beaver to Scotland would effectively be an ‘introduction’ of a now alien species. After a gap of 400 years, former habitats have been developed and are now a managed landscape, providing environmental, economic and recreational benefits.
"SRPBA believes it is imperative to have safeguards in place before the arrival of beavers anywhere in Scotland. A legally enforceable exit strategy for the proposed Scottish Wildlife Trust and the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland trial project, together with an independent assessment of the potential risks to farming, forestry and angling interests, are a minimum requirement."
Doug MacAdam highlighted existing problems with alien species such as the grey squirrel. He said, "Look at the problems now being experienced with other alien species such as grey squirrels, mink, and Japanese knotweed for instance. With low stocks of salmon and trout already giving concern, combined with pressures from other protected species, this highly adaptable mammal would inevitably impact on spawning areas, while also disturbing riparian habitats fragile in both economic and conservation value."
Take part in consultation
The SWT and RZSS consultation will run until 30th November 2007. It will involve meetings with local organisations, a public meeting and a drop in day. Members of the public in Mid-Argyll are encouraged to respond to the consultation. You can find out more and respond online on the SWT website and the RZSS website.
Two special events will be held in Argyll:
Thursday 18th October, 7.30 – 9.30pm
Talk – The return of the beaver by Simon Jones, SWT Reserves Manager
Venue – Dunstaffnage Marine Laboratory, near Oban
Contact – Harry Powell, 01631 710 376Saturday 20th October, 10am – 5pm
Public drop in day – Beavers in Argyll?
Venue – Cairnbaan Hotel, Crinan Canal
Contact – Stan Blackley, 08700 742 449
What do you think?
Do you agree that it is time the beaver came back to Scotland? Or do you share the SRPBA's concern that it would be an effective introduction of an alien species?
Last year, the Rural Gateway featured a survey about the reintroduction of wolves and lynx. The results article has recently been commented on. See Re-introduction of lynx and wolf survey results.
Do you feel differently about the reintroduction of beavers and reintroduction of wolves and lynx? Let us know your views by going to the bottom of this article and adding a comment.
Can you help wildlife conservation student?
Beata Kucinski is a student at the University of Kent, studying Wildlife Conservation. Beata is currently working on a dissertation which is an investigation into the reintroduction of wolves to Glen Affric. Having spent some time in the Cannich area interviewing people, further data is needed on the social feasibility of the reintroduction. Beata has a short questionnaire on the reintroduction, if you would be willing to take part please email Beata at bk47@kent.ac.uk.
- Source
- Scottish Wildlife Trust
- Date
- 11-Oct-2007
- Categories
- COUNTRYSIDE, Highlands and Islands, News - General
by 1 user.19-Oct-2007 @ 19:08PM
christopher roberts
I welcome the Beavers return. They originaly belonged here unlike grey Squirrel, Mink etc. and it is only due to mankind that they became extinct. Please let's have them in the Cairngorms National Park as well.
19-Oct-2007 @ 16:44PM
David Grant
This is absolutely the best idea since the re-introduction of the Sea Eagle. The SRPBA have no place in this; they are not qualified to speak - although of course they are entitled to express a view! Their comparisons with grey squirrel, mink and Japanese knotweed are not really valid. Beavers, fish and water get on fine together in Europe - and a long absence does not mean they will not do so here. We have been responsible for so many extinctions, it is really great to think wee could have another return. Get on with it quickly! I want to see them here in Angus too.
19-Oct-2007 @ 14:05PM
Andrew Thompson
I don't live in Mid Argyll, but if i did i would certainly like to see this trial re-introduction go ahead asap. It is long overdue! I would also be very happy to see beavers re-colonise this part of Scotland - Strathearn - where I am sure they would thrive. They can only be a good thing for our much impoverished ecology. Similar reintroductions in other parts of Europe have been hugely successful.
I say all this as a professional forester from a farming background, and I would like to urge those elements of the land-owning and farming community who have been expressing doubts about the wisdom and practicality of restoring beavers as a legitimate component of our fauna to join the real world, look at the experience of other countries who have beaten us to it - including even England it would seem - and stop spreading alarm and myths about the effects beavers will have on fish stocks, forests, and farming. This is all complete nonsense.
My only concern about the longer term prospect for rolling out what will hopefully be a successful trial in Knapdale accross the rest of Scotland is that we do not have extensive enough riparian stands of willow and aspen for a growing beaver population to expand into suitable habitat. Without more planting of winter food plants in suitable habitat we may see young beavers forced to disperse into less favourable habitats, where they may come into un-necessary contention with human interests, especially in gardens when they start to fell and eat fruit trees and other ornamentals.
We need to plant more aspen and willow and fast. Perhaps we can get a particular incentive for this into the Rural Development Programme funding package so that farmers and land-owners can play their part in aiding the re-introduction and at the same time retrieve some of their modulated single farm payments, which they are all bellyaching about!
Dream on.........
Bring back the wonderful beaver.
20-Oct-2007 @ 23:10PM
Louise Ramsay
European beavers are native to the UK and were still present in Yorkshire in the 18th Century (See "Beavers in Britain's Past," Bryony Coles). They have therefore been in the UK for all but 200 of the 10,000 years since they recolonised at the end of the last Ice Age. In Scotland they were hunted to extinction for their pelts by the 16th century making a gap of 400 years out of 10,000. This is insignificant in ecological time. They can contribute to flood prevention and drought mitigation as well as vastly improving biodiversity, creating habitat for hundreds of other species including otters, water voles and young salmonids. They are easy to trap and manage as we have discovered in Perthshire where we have some beavers living in large enclosures. The trial in Argyll should go ahead and so should reintroduction of beavers in suitable sites all over Scotland. They are a keystone species and fascinating animals whose presence would greatly enhance our depleted ecosystems. The SRPBA should be ignored. They have got it all wrong.