RESTORING NATURE


Matter of fact about beavers, he is not inter-


ested in their public persona as ‘cuddly’-looking animals, though he agrees they will boost the tourism income many fold. He reiterates the oft- overlooked mantra that, as a keystone species, they are the very best tool we have for restora- tion of degraded sylvan wetland habitat. Though pleased about how the Knapdale


trial has progressed so far, Jones states: ‘This is not yet a done deal and, though I do hope beavers are now here to stay, the final deci- sion rests with the Scottish Government. This project is of national importance, but we must remember that the countryside has altered hugely in the past 400 years and we have to be able to work with beavers and make sure that any problems in the future, and conflict with landowners, is dealt with efficiently to the benefit of both parties, as it is in other parts of Europe with intensive human land use.’


Concerns about beaver dams and damage to


woodland need to be addressed and dealt with in a practical and common sense method. But equally, it’s all too easy to focus on the negative aspects when overall beavers can be nothing but a good addition to our fauna. The knowledge that ‘un-licensed’ beavers


were increasingly colonising the Tay and its catchment area during the trial period caused raised hackles. ‘The point of having a trial was to ensure that


their impacts could be scientifically studied,’ said Jones. ‘We now have a situation where we have both licensed and un-licensed beavers. Importantly, unlike the situation on the Tay, the SBT has a detailed exit strategy. This would be used if the Scottish Government findings were negative following the trial results. The jury is still out on Scottish beavers and we must use common sense with this situation.’


Above: Beavers are known as a ‘key-stone’ species that improves wet forest areas for other wildlife. Left: Grey Owl and his Ojibway wife studied North American beavers.


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