A year ago, on 29 May 2009, Scotland’s first wild beavers for over 400 years were released into Knapdale Forest, Mid-Argyll. This marked the start of the Scottish Beaver Trial, a five-year time-limited trial reintroduction and a partnership project between the Scottish Wildlife Trust (SWT), the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) and host Forestry Commission Scotland (FCS). 

This week marks the first year milestone for the project, which aims to follow the beavers’ activities in the wild and gather information on how the presence of beavers might affect the Scottish environment and determine if the beaver might prosper again as a native species returned to Scotland’s countryside. 

Reflecting on the events of the first year, Simon Jones, Scottish Wildlife Trust’s Project Manager for the Trial, said:  “After spending their first full year in Scotland, we’ve seen many positive signs to indicate that our new beaver neighbours are already behaving very naturally. 

“We released three beaver families last May and it’s especially thrilling to see most of them now thriving.  Behaving exactly as beavers should, two families have now built their own lodges.  One family has also built a dam which has created a large beaver pond and allows them to access habitat rich in food supplies.  Signs of their nightly trips to forage through the undergrowth near the water’s edge, such as coppiced trees and stripped bark, can be clearly seen close to the beavers’ release lochs.

“Over 25 other European countries have already reintroduced beavers and, from their experience, we know that some animals can disperse after release and fail to settle.  Unfortunately this has been the case with one of our beaver families; however it is very positive that the majority of our original beavers have settled in well. 

“The license granted by the Scottish Government allows us to release up to four beaver families to create a viable breeding population and the most natural conditions possible to inform our Trial.  Having already released three families, we released a fourth pair of beavers earlier this month.  Early signs indicate that this pair is settling in well.”

Allan Bantick, Chair of the Scottish Beaver Trial, said:  “By building lodges and dams, foraging in the undergrowth and coppicing trees near the water’s edge; these beavers are fulfilling their role as a keystone species within Scotland’s wetland habitats.  They are an essential element of our native biodiversity which has been missing for too long. 

“I am encouraged by the signs of success we can already see emerging from the Trial.  As coppiced trees regenerate their new shoots, gaps in an otherwise dense canopy allow extra light to penetrate the forest floor and benefit other wild plants; Knapdale is becoming an even more diverse environment for wildlife.  Butterflies, dragonflies, insects, frogs, toads and ducks are already colonizing the new beaver pond, which is a delight for many visitors to see.” 

Roisin Campbell Palmer, RZSS’s Beaver Project Leader, said:  “The impact that these beavers are having on the landscape is entirely natural and part of their role as ecosystem engineers.  Beavers are nature’s woodland managers and we are really seeing what they can do in terms of changing the landscape and creating more wetland areas.

“Last year, our project made conservation history marking the first-ever formal reintroduction of a native mammal into the wild in the UK and the Trial has created a huge amount of public interest. It is a real example of pioneering conservation project that could have lasting impact on Scotland wildlife and landscapes.

“We look forward to seeing what Scottish Natural Heritage, which is co-ordinating the Trial’s independent scientific monitoring, will report in their findings to the Scottish Government in 2014. The results of the trial, along with other sources of information, will help Scottish Ministers decide whether Scotland’s future includes wild beavers.”

The Barnluasgan Information Centre is a great starting point for a visit to the trial area. Visitors can find out more about the trial here and take a fifteen minute walk to spot signs of beavers’ presence and activity.

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FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Nicola McGovern, PR Officer, SWT
Tel:  0131 312 4742

Clara Govier, Communications Officer, RZSS
Tel: 0131 314 0312

Notes to Editors

• The Scottish Beaver Trial is a partnership project between the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, the Scottish Wildlife Trust and host Forestry Commission Scotland to undertake a time-limited trial reintroduction of the European beavers to Knapdale, Mid-Argyll. It is part of Scotland's Species Action Framework, which sets out a strategic approach to species management in Scotland. The Scottish Government has asked Scottish Natural Heritage to coordinate the independent scientific monitoring of the trial, reporting on whether the conditions of the licence are being fully addressed on the ground.
• SNH is working with a number of independent organisations to carry out the monitoring work. They are Argyll and Bute Council, Argyll Fisheries Trust, Historic Scotland, British Dragonfly Society, Macaulay Land Use Research Institute, Scottish Environment Protection Agency, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Oxford Wildlife Conservation Research Unit and University of Stirling. Each organisation is contributing resources towards the monitoring of the trial, along with SNH who is contributing £275,000. For information about the monitoring go to www.snh.org.uk/scottishbeavertrial.  For more information visit www.scottishbeavers.org.uk
• The Scottish Government approved the application of the trial reintroduction in May 2008. This followed a two-month long consultation period with local residents and key stakeholders. The results of this consultation showed that 73% of respondents were in favour of the trial reintroduction.
• Forestry Commission Scotland manages the trial site of Knapdale Forest as part of the national forest estate. Forestry Commission Scotland serves as the Scottish Government’s forestry directorate and is responsible for the protection and expansion of Scotland's forests and woodlands. FCS manages the national forest estate for a range of public benefits – economic, social and environmental. It works closely with a range of national and local stakeholders and partners to deliver the Scottish Government's goals vested in the Scottish Forestry Strategy.
• Edinburgh Zoo and Highland Wildlife Park are owned by the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS), a registered charity, number SC004064. RZSS was founded by visionary lawyer Thomas Gillespie. The Society was set up ‘to promote, facilitate and encourage the study of zoology and kindred subjects and to foster and develop amongst the people an interest in and knowledge of animal life’. RZSS has been involved in several successful species reintroduction programmes in the past. These include native species, such as the Canna mouse, as well as global initiatives including reintroducing the Socorro dove back to the Socorro Islands, off the Mexican coast.
• The Scottish Wildlife Trust (SWT) is a registered charity. It is the largest voluntary body working for all the wildlife of Scotland, representing more than 35,000 members who care for wildlife and the environment. SWT seeks to raise public awareness of threatened habitats and species and manages over 120 wildlife reserves Scotland-wide. www.swt.org.uk
• Scottish Natural Heritage advises the Scottish Government on conserving, enjoying, understanding and sustainably using our natural heritage. For further information on SNH, please visit www.snh.org.uk
• Funding for the Scottish Beaver Trial has been gratefully received from Biffaward. 
• In 1997 Biffa Waste Services agreed to donate landfill tax credits to the Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts (RSWT) to administer under the fund name Biffaward. Grants made from the fund currently amount to £100 million, supporting many worthwhile projects. Biffa Waste Services Limited is one of the largest single suppliers of waste management services in the UK. It collects, treats, recovers and disposes of municipal, commercial and industrial waste nationwide.  It is ultimately owned by a private equity consortium comprising Montagu Private Equity, Global Infrastructure Partners, Uberior Co-Investments Limited and other co-investors www.biffaward.org
• The project has also received financial support from a range of sources including the People’s Trust for Endangered Species, People’s Postcode Lottery, the John Ellerman Foundation and the Albert George & Nancy Caroline Youngman Trust