Fresh Release Fears as Dead Beaver Found on Black Isle
A DEAD beaver has been found on a Highland beach, renewing fears the animals are being deliberately let loose into the wild.
Police and conservation bodies have launched an investigation into the find between Rosemarkie and Cromarty, on the Black Isle.
There are plans to reintroduce beavers to Scotland, where they have been extinct for centuries, but it is still a criminal offence to release them into the wild. Earlier this month, police in Tayside said they believed three had been set loose in their area.
The animal found in the Black Isle is thought to be an adult male. The cause of death and whether it is a European beaver or the north American species is not yet known.
Chief Inspector Paul Eddington, Northern Constabulary's wildlife crime co-ordinator, said: "The releasing of animals that are not used to the conditions is not only cruel but illegal. [From] the fact that the animals are known not to like salt water would appear that it was unfamiliar with the environment it found itself in."
Martin Gaywood, policy and advice manager at Scottish Natural Heritage, said: "The appearance of this beaver on the Black Isle is of great concern and we will work with police in providing advice and guidance on the case and its circumstances."
He said beavers are normally social animals but this one would not have found a mate.
A request for a licence to bring back beavers to Scotland went to the government in December.
The Scottish Wildlife Trust (SWT) and the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland want to set up a trial in Knapdale, Argyll.
A previous reintroduction plan was rejected by Scottish ministers in 2005 because of concerns about potential damage to woodland.
Conservationists say the animals are "river engineers" which build lodges, dams, canals and pools that attract a host of wildlife, such as kingfishers, fish and dragonflies.
They argue that they are a missing element of Scotland's native biodiversity.
Opponents believe beaver numbers could explode as they have no natural predators, they could damage traditional hardwoods and their burrowing and dam-making could impede the passage of migratory fish.
HUNTED TO EXTINCTION
THE European beaver (castor fiber) is a semi-aquatic rodent that was once widespread in Britain. Historic records suggest it was part of Scotland's natural habitat until the early 16th century.
However, the species was subsequently hunted to extinction for its pelt and a gland under its tail that was used in medicine. It is now found from western Europe eastwards to the Chinese-Mongolian border region.
The European beaver is on the EC Habitats Directive which requires government to consider the feasibility of reintroducing species which become extinct in the UK.
The Scotsman: 3rd May 2008
