The first beavers to be released into the Scottish wilds in more than four centuries are thriving in their new habitat and improving the environment for other creatures.
Leaders of the Scottish Beaver Trial say two of the three families reintroduced in Knapdale Forest, Argyll, a year ago tomorrow have gone on to build lodges, and one has built a dam to create a large pond with its own rich food supply. Naturalists say this activity is creating an even more diverse environment for wildlife such as butterflies, dragonflies, frogs, toads and ducks.
The third family failed to settle and went their separate ways following the transfer to Scotland from Norway, but the trial licence allowed a fourth family to be released this month and the arrivals appear to be doing well.
The beavers’ every move is being monitored closely in a five-year trial overseen by the Scottish Wildlife Trust, the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland and Forestry Commission Scotland.
Trial chairman Allan Bantick said he was encouraged by the first year’s results, which showed what had been missing from the country’s biodiversity since the animals were hunted to extinction in the 16th century.
He added: “By building lodges and dams, foraging in the undergrowth and coppicing trees near the water’s edge, these beavers are fulfilling their role as a keystone species within Scotland’s wetland habitats.
“As coppiced trees regenerate their new shoots, gaps in an otherwise dense canopy allow extra light to penetrate the forest floor and benefit other wild plants.
“Knapdale is becoming an even more diverse environment for wildlife. Butterflies, dragonflies, insects, frogs, toads and ducks are already colonising the new beaver pond, which is a delight for many visitors to see.”
The release of the beavers last May marked the first formal reintroduction of a native mammal into the wild in the UK.
Scottish Natural Heritage is co-ordinating the independent scientific monitoring for the £2million trial, and will report its findings to the Scottish Government in 2014.
The results of the trial, along with other sources of information, will help Scottish ministers decide whether to allow a bigger release.
More than 25 other European countries have already reintroduced beavers
By Morag Lindsey
The Press and Journal
29th May 2010
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