Scotland's beavers to be given protected status

The species currently has two distinct geographic concentrations in Scotland – the closely monitored specimens legally reintroduced for the Scottish Beaver trial in Knapdale, and the unfettered population that has established itself on Tayside as a result of illegal releases.

The Tayside beavers have latterly become a major concern for farmers whose fields border waterways, as the animals' deliberate damming to create ponds, and digging into riverbanks, can throw field drainage into disarray. As a result, while the species has not been legally recognised under the scope of Scotland's wildlife law, some land managers have pursued ad hoc control measures.

Earlier this week, the discovery of a dead female beaver on a wildlife reserve in Tayside – apparently killed by an infected gunshot wound in its chest – re-ignited the conservationist campaign for the introduction of legal protection of the species.

Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham has responded by announcing that the Eurasian or European beaver will be added to the list of European Protected Species of Animals, protected under Scottish law, meaning that from May 1 this year, shooting will only be allowed under licence, which will be managed by Scottish Natural Heritage.

Ms Cunningham said: “The Scottish Government believes in the highest standards of animal welfare – for both wild and domestic animals – and we felt it was high time that beavers enjoyed the same legal protection as other species like bats, dolphins, wildcats and otters.

“There are few species that have such a significant and, largely positive, influence on the health and function of our ecosystems," said Ms Cunningham. "The importance of beavers to Scotland’s biodiversity is huge. However, we recognise that beavers can have a significant impact on farming, particularly in areas like Strathmore, which is why we have been working closely with farmers and partner agencies to establish management plans, as well as a licensing system for culling when there is no other alternative.”

She insisted that protection and mitigation measures for farmers, particularly around Tayside, would be 'extensive': "I think most farmers realised pretty much a couple of years ago that this was going to happen. There will be control measures. We are looking at and talking to them about extensive potential mitigation measures."

SNH chief executive Francesca Osowska commented: “We welcome this news from the Scottish Government. Beavers benefit nature, creating habitats such as ponds and wetlands where other species thrive, as well as alleviating flooding and improving water quality. But it will sometimes be necessary to minimise or prevent beavers’ impacts on farming, and other interests.

“In readiness for beavers’ protected species status, SNH has been working with a range of partners, including Scottish Government, farmer and conservation bodies, to produce a strategy for beavers’ sustainable future.”

Ahead of today's protection announcement, Scottish Wildlife Trust chief executive Jonny Hughes highlighted that case of the casualty animal found on the wildlife reserve: “We believe this animal was shot elsewhere while foraging and then died from its wounds after returning to its home territory. Sadly, this beaver is likely to have suffered a slow and painful death, and the loss of the resident female may mean that the complex network of dams and lodges that have developed on the reserve will be abandoned.

“Without legal protection beavers are subject to unregulated culling," he said. "There is no clear picture of how many beavers are being culled or whether this is being done humanely."

According to the most recent official survey there are an estimated 430 beavers living in Tayside – although there are anecdotal reports from local land managers that that number is actually much higher.