Scottish Government Gives go Ahead for Beaver Reintroduction
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."
http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/news/beaver-scotland351.html: June 2008
