Scottish Beaver Trial

Latest project update

The Scottish Beaver Trial has welcomed new births for the second year in a row. Although one kit has died due to natural predation, a second kit born this summer looks to be thriving and has been spotted looking quite healthy, swimming and feeding well. For more information about the kits, visit the official project website.

About the Scottish Beaver Trial

The Scottish Wildlife Trust, in partnership with the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland and Forestry Commission Scotland, released the first beavers to live in Scotland in over 400 years in May 2009. This marks the first ever formal reintroduction of a native mammal species in the UK.

The beaver families are now settling into their new home in the Knapdale Forest, Mid-Argyll, and will remain there for a five-year period from 2009 to 2014. An independent scientific monitoring programme will be carried out by SNH to assess the effect beavers have on the local environment and how well they settle in Scotland. Read our FAQs for more information.

Why reintroduce beavers?

Beavers are a native species to the UK, hunted to extinction in the 16th century. By modifying their surroundings through coppicing, feeding and, in some cases, damming, beavers create ponds and wetlands which attract other species, provide a food source to others, and can even help improve water quality. For this reason, they are known as a 'keystone' species.

Paying a visit to Knapdale

Beaver families at the Dubh Loch and Loch Linne are those most often seen by visitors, having had the most impact on the surrounding landscape. The best time to see them in the water tends to be in the early morning and evening. We recommend that you start your visit at the Barnluasgan Information Centre, which also offers car parking facilities.

How can you help

With £250,000 left to raise to support the Scottish Beaver Trial over the next three years, every gift makes a vital contribution to our project. Donate online or join the Scottish Wildlife Trust today and become a beaver supporter! Alternatively, for more information on the Trial - including volunteer opportunities - visit www.scottishbeavers.org.uk

Supporters of the Scottish Beaver Trial

The John Ellerman Foundation, Albert George & Nancy Caroline Youngman Trust, The European Nature Trust, The J & JR Wilson Trust, The Craignish Trust and The Mackintosh Foundation.