landowning sector were against it because they saw it and what they’re doing. The tags will be attached for
as being contrary to the way they’d been accustomed different periods throughout the five-year trial. When
to doing things, without challenge, for centuries. On the first beavers have settled into their territories, the
the other side, we’ve had the new organisations that tags will be removed and re-used later to help us keep
care very deeply about environmental issues and want track of the dispersing young beavers.”
to take responsibility for putting things right. The The Trust has a license to release up to four beaver
debate was not really about beavers as much as it was families, but initially only three families are being
about who runs the countryside. I’m pleased to say that released. One family is being held in reserve in case
in the end, the clearly expressed will of the majority of “unexpected mortality.” “The beavers are half-way
has prevailed. There were three public consultations, through six months of quarantine,” Mr Jones said,
one national and two local, and between two thirds “and they’re being cared for at a specialist facility in
and three quarters of those who responded were very Devon in south-western England. If the trial goes
much in favour of the beaver trial.” well and we feel it’s ok to release the fourth family,
What caused the swing in public opinion? then they will join the trial.”
Simon Jones says there are two answers. “First and Each beaver family includes a breeding pair and,
foremost,” he said, “it came down to the realisation on average, three offspring, some from the current
that beavers are a Scottish species. There were beavers year’s litter and others from the previous year. When
in Scotland for millennia, well before the coming the young are about 18 months old, their parents
of man. They therefore have a rightful place in the make it clear that it’s time for the youngsters to leave
Scottish environment. The second point is that home. The parents aggressively chase the young out of
people came to understand the fact that beavers are a the lodge and drive them off beyond their territorial
keystone species. They have a fundamental effect on boundaries where they are expected to establish their
the ecosystem, one that paves the way for a myriad of own families in their own territories.
other animal and plant species. By bringing back the By the end of the trial period in 2017 Simon
beaver we multiply the benefits for other wildlife. Jones says he expects there will be between 40 and
“When beavers fell and coppice trees on the 50 beavers occupying twice as many beaver territories
edges of waterways they create open glades, which in the trial area. “Each family of four to six beavers
are ideal for butterflies and dragonflies, as well as needs a minimum of one and a half to two kilometres
ground-nesting and shrub-nesting birds. It’s not just of water’s edge,” he said, “so the entire trial area has
about bringing back one nice little furry animal; it’s the scope to accommodate up to 20 beaver families.”
about bringing back an animal that can open up all So what happens to all those young beavers obliged
sorts of possibilities for biodiversity in Scotland’s to pack up and shift for themselves? “In Europe where
wetlands. For many years in Scotland, forest and beaver populations are well established,” he said, “the
conservation bodies have spent millions of pounds experience is that up to 70 per cent of those young
trying to achieve the same results by building ponds, beavers die naturally. It may seem harsh, but that’s the
controlling scrub and planting trees. The beaver does long-term survival strategy of the beavers. It’s a strategy
all that by its sheer existence. The beaver is the ultimate that applies a natural brake on population growth.”
land manager. Yes, there’s been a cost in bringing the At the end of the trial period the Scottish
animals back: so far the budget is about £2 million Government will again be called upon to make a
over seven years, but once they’re established they’ll decision. The government will either order a halt
be out there building ponds for free.” to the trial or confer upon the beavers the status of
Mr Jones emphasises that this will be a strictly permanent residents. Until that time the beavers will
controlled scientific trial and one that is to be exist in a kind of bureaucratic limbo, one in which they
closely monitored by Scottish Natural Heritage, the will not have the benefit of legislative protection as a
appointed government agency. “It’s not as if we’ve native let alone an endangered species. Simon Jones
imported a lorry-load of beavers that are just going concedes this could make the beavers vulnerable to
to be dumped in mid-Argyll while we walk away,” yet more human stupidity. “There’s a huge amount of
he said. “Our field officer, Jenny Holden, is based at public goodwill toward the beavers in Scotland just
Cairnbaan, one of the villages on the Crinan Canal, now,” he said. “People genuinely want this trial to
right on the northern edge of the trial area and she will succeed. I can’t imagine anyone doing anything that
be on hand to deal with any management issues and would jeopardise that.” We must all hope he’s right
to monitor the satellite transmitters and radio tags about that. The beavers of North Knapdale will be
that will help us keep track of the beavers. On a day- counting on it.
by-day basis she will be able to log-on to her laptop
For further details visit www.scottishbeavers.org.uk
and immediately see exactly where the animals are
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