Trapping boosts beaver restoration efforts - NatureScot
New figures show that 90% of beavers removed from conflict areas in Tayside in 2023/24 were moved to new homes after a huge effort by NatureScot and partners to relocate families and help expand the population across Scotland.
The latest report on beaver management shows that 85 beavers were removed to prevent serious damage to agriculture in the period from January 2023 to April 2024 – down from 108 in 2022.
Of these, 77 animals were trapped and moved to licensed projects, compared with 45 in the previous year. Just eight beavers were killed under licence over the 16-month period, down from 63 in the calendar year 2022.
The proportion of beavers that were trapped and moved was therefore 90% over the period, a large increase from 42% in 2022 and 28% in 2021.
The reduction in lethal control reflects the extensive efforts that have gone into increasing trapping by NatureScot staff working hard with land managers, the Beaver Trust and Five Sisters Zoo.
A total of 40 beavers were released in Scotland, with families moved to both the Cairngorms and Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Parks as well as numerous population reinforcements in Tayside, Forth and Knapdale.
Records suggest the population is also continuing to expand naturally in parts of Tayside, the wider Forth area, and into West Lothian and Fife, with some evidence of dispersal from Knapdale and in the Highlands.
Donald Fraser, NatureScot’s Head of Wildlife Management, said: “A huge amount of hard work has happened over the last 16 months and significant progress has been made with the support of land managers and our partners the Beaver Trust and Five Sisters Zoo.
“More beavers have been moved to suitable areas across Scotland and the population is continuing to expand. The low number of beavers killed over this period is welcome, although it’s important to note that the numbers of beavers which will need to be removed from areas will vary from year to year, as beavers continue to increase and expand their range.
Posted On: 30/07/2024
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