WILDLIFE


‘The jury is still out on Scottish beavers and we must use common sense’


study of the animals and their environmen- tal impact. They recognised their importance as a keystone species capable of improving habitat for the good of a whole host of species. In his most famous work, Pilgrims of the Wild, he expresses how our rush to exploit natural resources for commercial value overlooks ‘the capabilities and possibilities of the wild crea- tures involved in it’. Though Grey Owl’s work refers to the North


American beaver, Castor Canadensis, rather than the Eurasian beaver, Castor fi ber, the fact remains that beavers are without doubt one of the fi nest tools we have for restoring important habitat to its former glory. The 23 European countries that have successfully reintroduced beavers cannot be wrong. After years of complex consultations stretch-


ing back to 1998, Scottish Natural Heritage recommended to the Scottish Government that the Eurasian beaver should be reintroduced during a fi ve-year trial, which was fi nally given the go-ahead in 2009. The Scottish Beaver Trial (SBT), a partnership between the Scottish Wildlife Trust, the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland and the Forestry Commission, is the fi rst formal mammal reintroduction in Britain, and is now nearing its completion. The SBT team worked closely with Professor


Frank Rosell of Telemark University in Norway, who provided the beavers for the trial. After a quarantine period, 13 animals in four families arrived in Knapdale over a two-year period. Independent veterinary experts had rigorously tested them for diseases and parasites. The auspicious start saw the inevitable loss of


several animals. This must have been a nerve- wracking emotional roller coaster for the team led by project manager Simon Jones and fi eld operations manager Roisin Campbell-Palmer. From the moment of their release into the


116 WWW.SCOTTISHFIELD.CO.UK


wilds of Knapdale, the beavers’ every last move- ment has been monitored with regular reports available on the SBT’s website. Shots heard and then the subsequent disappearance of one of the animals could have been purely coinciden- tal but must have proved extremely worrying. Then there was the joy of the fi rst wild born


young. Five years on and there are 16 beavers still thriving in Knapdale. Result. Though many areas of Scotland provide


perfect beaver habitat, the choice of Mid Argyll has proved ideal. With much of the trial site on Forestry Commission land and with good local support and access, there have been ongoing public consultations. As the much-publicised trial nears its conclu-


sion, how does Jones view the situation? Having spent 20 years managing wildlife reserves and habitats, he says that this is the most important project of his career in conservation.


RIGHT - JOHANNES DAG MAYER/SHUTTERSTOCK


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