Beaver families cleared for return to Loch Ness after 500 years
NatureScot has granted Trees for Life and Beaver Trust a licence to reintroduce beavers around Loch Ness, in the 500th year since they were last recorded at the loch. The Ness Beaver Project plans to release at least 15 family groups over three years. The licence was granted on 30 October, with the first releases potentially taking place the following month.
The beavers will come from elsewhere in Scotland and be released into lochs, smaller lochs known as lochans, and rivers. Specific sites will be announced after the animals have been safely released, allowing them to settle without disturbance.
NatureScot identified the River Ness catchment, the area draining into the river, as one of Scotland’s most suitable places for beavers in 2022. It has hundreds of kilometres of river and loch banks, extensive woodland and a low risk of affecting other land uses.
Beaver dams and canals can restore and reconnect rivers, wetlands and floodplains. The charities say this supports wildlife and helps manage droughts, wildfires and flooding.
Community discussions preceded the licence application. “There has been huge interest from communities and local businesses,” said Alan McDonnell, Trees for Life’s head of nature restoration. He said the team had met local people to hear their views firsthand. The tourism sector has strongly supported the project, which the charities say can bring economic benefits through wildlife tourism.
A locally based beaver management officer and Beaver Trust staff will support community monitoring, research opportunities, land managers and educational events. A monitoring and mitigation group will also be established.
Beavers were hunted to extinction in Scotland several hundred years ago and officially reintroduced in 2009. Their last widely cited historical record, dating from 1526-27, places them around Loch Ness.
The charities say establishing a healthy population around Loch Ness will secure the species’ reintroduction to the Highlands.
Source: Licence granted for historic return of beavers to waters around Loch Ness – 500 years after last sighting at world-famous loch - Beaver Trust (beavertrust.org). Spotted via Beaver Trust UK.
Written by the HappyGood desk from the primary source linked above and checked against it. Every story links its source. Corrections: [email protected].
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