Beavers currently loose in parts of Tayside are to be recaptured.
The animals are being recaptured because it is illegal to allow their escape or release into the wild and because their welfare may be at risk. There was no consultation with local people; there was no licence issued for their release; there is no monitoring of their welfare; and there is no certainty that they are the appropriate species or type of beaver for Scotland.
Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) said, “There is a licensed and carefully managed trial reintroduction underway at Knapdale in Argyll. This trial is being carried out according to internationally agreed guidelines. Unauthorised releases of beavers subvert and undermine the position that Scotland carries out reintroductions according to best scientific practice.”
“Going by the evidence gathered so far we believe there are around seven to 20 feral beavers in the wild. The trapping project is a trial aimed at testing trapping methods and efficiency and building a clearer understanding of the scale of the task.”
Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture (SASA), in collaboration with SNH, police and local landowners, is now trapping the beavers as a matter of urgency.
Trapped animals will be passed on to the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland to be held while re-housing is arranged.
SNH said, “The longer we leave the feral beavers in the wild the greater the task of dealing with the problem will be. We are also urging all owners of animal collections, to take greater care in keeping their animals captive.”
No final decision has yet been made on whether the European beaver should be reintroduced to Scotland.
SNH is monitoring the trial in collaboration with a number of independent partners, and will report to Scottish Government in 2015. Relevant stakeholders are continuing to be involved with discussions throughout the process. Scottish Government will then make decisions on the future of beaver reintroduction.