Scottish Government gives go ahead for beaver reintroduction

June 2008. The Scottish Government has today announced that it has approved the application from the Scottish Wildlife Trust (SWT) and the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) to bring back beavers to Scotland. Conditional approval was granted for up to four beaver families to be reintroduced on a trial basis, after six months quarantine, to Knapdale in Mid-Argyll in spring 2009.

Extinct for 400 years

Allan Bantick, Chair of the Scottish Beaver Trial Steering Group said: "This is a historic moment for wildlife conservation. The Scottish Government has now given the go ahead for the first-ever formal reintroduction of a native mammal into the wild in the UK. Beavers have been extinct in Scotland for over 400 years and they are well known for their positive impact on habitats and conditions for other species. By bringing these useful creatures back to their native environment we will have the chance to restore a missing part of our wetland ecosystems and re-establish much needed natural processes."

As Simon Milne, Chief Executive of the Scottish Wildlife Trust continues, the challenge now is for the licence holders to fundraise for the project: "Our next steps will be to look carefully at any conditions imposed by the licence and to raise funds for this very exciting five-year venture. This is the chance for individuals and businesses to really play an active role in this ground-breaking project by helping to fund the Scottish Beaver Trial."

Those interested in supporting the project can donate over the phone or on line by contacting one of the project partners:

Scottish Wildlife Trust                        Tel: 0131 312 7765 or http://www.swt.org.uk/

Royal Zoological Society of Scotland    Tel: 0131 314 0309