‘Time is right’ to bring beavers back to Scotland Environment minister asks for plans to be drawn up, despite fears over impact THEY'RE CUTE, they cut down trees and at last they could be coming home. After seven years of political delays, beavers now look set to be reintroduced to Scotland.
The new environment minister, Michael Russell, wants to bring the tail-slapping, dam-building, tree-gnawing mammals back. And he's prepared to risk the wrath of landowners to do so.
In one of his first acts as an SNP minister, Russell will this week ask Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) to draw up new plans to reintroduce the beaver. The wildlife agency originally applied for a trial reintroduction in 2000, but was turned down in 2005 by Labour and LibDem ministers after a series of delays.
"The beaver is a part of our natural heritage which was destroyed by man," Russell told the Sunday Herald. "I think the time is right to ask SNH to make new proposals, taking into account the objections that led to the refusal, and I look forward to considering them as soon as they can be brought forward."
He pointed out that SNH's previous proposal had had "strong backing" and that beavers had been successfully reintroduced in over 20 European countries. "Given the loss of species worldwide we are going to have to learn a lot about reintroduction," he said.
"Getting more practical experience will be crucial, and a project such as this - in which we can learn from others and make our own contribution to restoring Scotland's biodiversity - seems to me to have many positive possibilities."
Beavers were hunted to extinction in Scotland more than 400 years ago. They were killed both for their fur and for castoreum, the oil they secrete.
Bringing beavers back now would be the first ever planned reintroduction of a mammal into Scotland. To date only birds, such as the sea eagle and the red kite, have been officially reintroduced.
SNH's previous proposal was to import up to 20 European beavers from Norway and release them at Knapdale wildlife reserve in mid-Argyll.
But local landowners vociferously objected, fearing that the incomers might damage the environment.
The plan has been welcomed by Simon Milne, chief executive of the Scottish Wildlife Trust. "As a keystone species, the beaver will help to restore depleted wetland habitats and bring benefits to a wide range of species," he said.
Rhona Brankin, Labour's shadow cabinet secretary for rural affairs, and a former environment minister, said: "I welcome this issue being reopened. But I have a huge concern that public funding isn't diverted from the protection of native species which are endangered, like the red squirrel."
The National Farmers Union Scotland said it was not against a trial reintroduction, but was concerned that beavers, once released, would be difficult to control.
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Posted by: Colin Glass, Naples, Florida on 9:57pm Sat 9 Jun 07
I agree.
The more Scottish beavers the better!
I agree.
The more Scottish beavers the better!
Posted by: Davie, Shettleston on 10:40pm Sat 9 Jun 07
It's about time they brought the beavers back to Scotland. There's a sad lack of beaver around these parts!
It's about time they brought the beavers back to Scotland. There's a sad lack of beaver around these parts!
Posted by: Arthur Montfords 2nd best full-length beaver coat, way at the back of the wardrobe on 11:46pm Sat 9 Jun 07
I am in favour of full beaver wherever possible. And sod the NFU and the landowners, when was the last time they did anything for Scotland?
Lets hear it for the beavers! And where there may be doubt, I'd like to stand up for the split beavers too.
I am in favour of full beaver wherever possible. And sod the NFU and the landowners, when was the last time they did anything for Scotland?
Lets hear it for the beavers! And where there may be doubt, I'd like to stand up for the split beavers too.
Posted by: Guga, Rockall on 5:29am Sun 10 Jun 07
Why do we need to reintroduce assorted species? Would these people not be better employed in looking after the ones we have; and in getting rid of all the introduced pests, like mink, feral cats, grey squirrels etc.?
Why do we need to reintroduce assorted species? Would these people not be better employed in looking after the ones we have; and in getting rid of all the introduced pests, like mink, feral cats, grey squirrels etc.?
Posted by: Swilly Tisher, Loch Maree on 7:18am Sun 10 Jun 07
The Ark is back. But careful , laddies. Remember the bunnies of Oz?...It's something to chew over.
The Ark is back. But careful , laddies. Remember the bunnies of Oz?...It's something to chew over.
Posted by: wolfgang Klita, Clydebank on 8:44am Sun 10 Jun 07
While we are at it, why not re-introduce the beloved Wolf! Our deer population is nearing half a million. Just think how our rich landowners would cry out, as their weekend shooting parties would become obsolete. Deer is likely doing more damage to tree saplings than the beaver does on our trees. No one in Scotland is likely to go ahaed with culling deer, because the rich and famous don't want it for above stated reason, so, lets bring back the wolf to reduce deer population by natural means.
While we are at it, why not re-introduce the beloved Wolf! Our deer population is nearing half a million. Just think how our rich landowners would cry out, as their weekend shooting parties would become obsolete. Deer is likely doing more damage to tree saplings than the beaver does on our trees. No one in Scotland is likely to go ahaed with culling deer, because the rich and famous don't want it for above stated reason, so, lets bring back the wolf to reduce deer population by natural means.
Posted by: Eddie on 11:42am Sun 10 Jun 07
I think it would be great to have some nice beaver and this guy agreeshttp://www.the
jaggythistle.co.uk/a
pr07beaver.htm
[bold]bold[/bold]
I think it would be great to have some nice beaver and this guy agreeshttp://www.the
jaggythistle.co.uk/a
pr07beaver.htm
Posted by: Sarah, Temiskaming Shores/Northern Ontario on 1:43pm Sun 10 Jun 07
There are not enough trees in Scotland to satisfy the beavers. Scotland must be prepared to pay the cost of repairing roads which will be flooded, property damage, etc; all caused by these cute creatures. I think that re-establishing the beavers will be a mistake.
There are not enough trees in Scotland to satisfy the beavers. Scotland must be prepared to pay the cost of repairing roads which will be flooded, property damage, etc; all caused by these cute creatures. I think that re-establishing the beavers will be a mistake.
Posted by: Andy Day, Glasgow on 9:28pm Sun 10 Jun 07
Personally i can't stand beavers. If the beavers are back i'm making a fur coat !... nae nickers !
Personally i can't stand beavers. If the beavers are back i'm making a fur coat !... nae nickers !
Posted by: BM, Glasgow on 9:30pm Sun 10 Jun 07
[quote][bold]Sarah[/bold] wrote:
There are not enough trees in Scotland to satisfy the beavers. Scotland must be prepared to pay the cost of repairing roads which will be flooded, property damage, etc; all caused by these cute creatures. I think that re-establishing the beavers will be a mistake.[/quote] You obviously have not been here and seen the millions of ugly non-native conifers poisoning the Highlands. They can eat all these as far as I care.
Sarah wrote:
There are not enough trees in Scotland to satisfy the beavers. Scotland must be prepared to pay the cost of repairing roads which will be flooded, property damage, etc; all caused by these cute creatures. I think that re-establishing the beavers will be a mistake.
You obviously have not been here and seen the millions of ugly non-native conifers poisoning the Highlands. They can eat all these as far as I care.
Posted by: Angus Macmillan, Balloch on 8:22pm Mon 11 Jun 07
[quote]BM Glasgow wrote: You obviously have not been here and seen the millions of ugly non-native conifers poisoning the Highlands. They can eat all these as far as I care.[/quote]
But non-native conifers are fast growing timber that can offset environmentally damaging imports. Better they eat the politically correct native rubbish that is planted by woodland charities first.
BM Glasgow wrote: You obviously have not been here and seen the millions of ugly non-native conifers poisoning the Highlands. They can eat all these as far as I care.
But non-native conifers are fast growing timber that can offset environmentally damaging imports. Better they eat the politically correct native rubbish that is planted by woodland charities first.
Posted by: Helena, Perthshire on 11:55am Tue 12 Jun 07
First, to BM Glasgow, beavers rarely chop down conifers but prefer native trees at the water's edge. Happily they generally don't kill trees, but coppice them and increase their biomass and habitat value. Also, Sarah from Ontario, you are right that parts of Scotland are very deforested, but there are plenty of suitable places for beavers all the same. And for the multi million pound benefits in flood and drought management that beavers bring I think Scotland can afford to manage the occasional flooded road.
First, to BM Glasgow, beavers rarely chop down conifers but prefer native trees at the water's edge. Happily they generally don't kill trees, but coppice them and increase their biomass and habitat value. Also, Sarah from Ontario, you are right that parts of Scotland are very deforested, but there are plenty of suitable places for beavers all the same. And for the multi million pound benefits in flood and drought management that beavers bring I think Scotland can afford to manage the occasional flooded road.
Posted by: Helena, Perthshire on 11:55am Tue 12 Jun 07
First, to BM Glasgow, beavers rarely chop down conifers but prefer native trees at the water's edge. Happily they generally don't kill trees, but coppice them and increase their biomass and habitat value. Also, Sarah from Ontario, you are right that parts of Scotland are very deforested, but there are plenty of suitable places for beavers all the same. And for the multi million pound benefits in flood and drought management that beavers bring I think Scotland can afford to manage the occasional flooded road.
First, to BM Glasgow, beavers rarely chop down conifers but prefer native trees at the water's edge. Happily they generally don't kill trees, but coppice them and increase their biomass and habitat value. Also, Sarah from Ontario, you are right that parts of Scotland are very deforested, but there are plenty of suitable places for beavers all the same. And for the multi million pound benefits in flood and drought management that beavers bring I think Scotland can afford to manage the occasional flooded road.
Posted by: Dian Elvin, Oxfordshire on 10:24pm Thu 23 Aug 07
After years of study it seems we seem to have been proved mistaken about the damage said to have been done by beavers and it appears that they actually do a great deal of good to keep the environment balanced (The New Scientist, 25th August 2007).
It is not just Scotland which needs to have them re-introduced. It is very evident, when walking the many wonderful footpaths around Oxfordshire, that some riversides and minor rivers are being neglected. On reflection, I put this down to the expense of paying forestry experts to keep the streams and rivers flowing by pollarding willows and pruning carefully to prevent tree branches cracking and falling into the water. Apparently a few beavers would do this expert work free!
After years of study it seems we seem to have been proved mistaken about the damage said to have been done by beavers and it appears that they actually do a great deal of good to keep the environment balanced (The New Scientist, 25th August 2007).
It is not just Scotland which needs to have them re-introduced. It is very evident, when walking the many wonderful footpaths around Oxfordshire, that some riversides and minor rivers are being neglected. On reflection, I put this down to the expense of paying forestry experts to keep the streams and rivers flowing by pollarding willows and pruning carefully to prevent tree branches cracking and falling into the water. Apparently a few beavers would do this expert work free!
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