You might remember that Scotland had an”Official beaver reintroduction” and an “unofficial one”. The unnoffcal one resulted in around 300 beavers across the Tay and recently reported the horrific 80-something murders by farmers unsettled by their presence. The official one just got a big population boost and is celebrating.
It’s all going swimmingly: Releasing 21 more beavers is ‘a success’
Scottish Beavers, a partnership between the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) and the Scottish Wildlife Trust, released 21 more beavers into the area between 2017 and 2019 to bolster the population.
Monitoring throughout 2020 shows the endangered species are now “more widespread and breeding throughout the area”.
The final report from the Scottish Beavers Reinforcement Project reveals the genetic diversity of Knapdale’s beaver population has increased, which is important for its future survival.
The new beavers brought to Knapdale were sourced primarily in Tayside and originate from Bavaria, while the original Scottish Beaver Trial population was sourced in Norway.
Mind you that last sentence is especially encouraging, because it means that beavers were relocated from areas they weren’t wanted rather than killed outright. Of course they probably had to spend months in quarantine and pass all kinds of genetic tests first, but it’s still good news.
Gill Dowse, of the Scottish Wildlife Trust, said: “The trial was a landmark conservation project that showed how beavers can create and restore important wetland and native woodland habitats.
“A limited number of beavers were introduced during the trial so it was important to go back and release more, 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.”
Dr Helen Taylor, RZSS conservation programme manager, said: “Monitoring the beaver population in Knapdale for the past three years and tracking 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 waterways 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.”
The article notes that there is no indication that the fancy Norway beavers have begun to breed with the scruffy Bavarian beavers yet, but give them time. Beavers don’t see borders.
Ms Taylor added: “After a 400-year absence from this country, beavers are back and we need to ensure they have a long-term future in Scotland, and throughout Britain.
“We need to make space for these incredible ecosystem engineers, build a better understanding of where the most suitable release sites are, and learn to live alongside them again so everyone can enjoy the benefits of beavers, while reducing human-wildlife conflict.”
Conservationists call the beaver a keystone species because its presence has such a major impact on the natural environment and its wildlife. They have been shown to increase an area’s amphibian and aquatic insect abundance, productivity and diversity and play a beneficial role in enhancing wetland processes, including strategic flood management and water quality improvements.
Can I get an amen? Gill says that Scotland needs a THRIVING and robust beaver population and I couldn’t agree more. California does too. Let’s learn from their example and start appreciating the good things that are right under our bridges.
