Tayside's wild beavers continue to evade capture
Wild beavers in Tayside continue to prove elusive after the organisation attempting to capture them admitted that only one has been caught.
- By Jonathan Watson
- Published in the Courier : 28.02.11
- Published online : 28.02.11 @ 08.34am
Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) has confirmed that as of last week just a single creature had been trapped, despite beginning the process back in November.
The body estimates that there are around 20 wild beavers in the region, which it is attempting to capture after claiming that their release into the wild had been illegal.
Despite this, the project has received much criticism from residents and wildlife lovers, with a Facebook group campaigning against the trapping process having attracted 849 supporters while an online petition on the issue has received 239 signatures.
Scottish Natural Heritage has insisted that any trapped beavers will be handed over to the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland for holding and rehousing.
However it has admitted that the process would stop at Easter due to the mating season.
While it is thought that up to 20 beavers could be living wild across Tayside, the fact that the animals have not been monitored means that there could be as few as seven.
Picture used under Creative Commons licence courtesy of Flickr user gainesp2003.
09.50am - 28.02.2011 Mike Stirling - Forfar, Scotland Report This
SNH just dont seem to understand that over-management is worse than none at all. These beavers contribute to our biodiversity and the diversity of the gene pool. LEAVE THEM ALONE!!
03.22pm - 28.02.2011 David Gibbon - Edinburgh, Scotland Report This
The need to restore biodiversity to the countryside is urgent. Beavers do just that, including encouraging salmon. Their activities will help to prevent flooding in places like Perth. SNH embarked on this crass policy out of pettiness, professional jealousy and a complete failure of leadership.
04.26pm - 28.02.2011 Jeremy Goodwin - Houston, Texas Report This
The SNH has a long history of enforcing draconian measures with a total lack of understanding, and this is yet another example. That their treasured Knapdale beaver trial is in a river that does not support salmon (just salmonids like trout), is a good reason to doubt their judgment.
04.46pm - 28.02.2011 Scott - Perth, Scotland Report This
There must be some kind of happy medium reached here. These beaver are mana from heaven for the local tourist industry and a gilt edged opportunity for study. However, local landowners must be supported in how to live and work alongside these animals. Trap & remove seems a very short sighted option
04.59pm - 28.02.2011 Louise Ramsay - Alyth, Scotland Report This
Completely agree with the previous two comments. OUr campaign has demolished all their arguments: genetic, legal, public health, precedent. All are factually inaccurate and/abssurd. A slew of distinguished ecologists are backing our campaign. SNH, this is getting silly. Just admit you got it wrong!
07.29pm - 28.02.2011 MetisMum - Kenora, Canada Report This
It does seem strange to want beavers in an area with so little room for them. Here in Canada, they are larger animals of course, but they require agressive control to prevent damange to local drainage systems in areas with rural residents. Wilerness, not rural critters folks, sorry.
08.14pm - 28.02.2011 Lydia McCallen - Newtownards, Northern Ireland Report This
Leave the beavers alone, they are doing no harm and a lot of good.
09.21pm - 28.02.2011 Paul Ramsay - Alyth, Scotland Report This
I am so grateful to SNH for not going all out to trap the free beavers of the Tay. Thank goodness they have caught only one.
12.55am - 01.03.2011 David Grant - Balintore, Scotland Report This
How deep a hole are SNH going to dig for themselves before they realise how counter-productive it's become? There is a huge pool of goodwill they could tap out here but they - and Minister Roseanna Cunningham - seem to prefer being shortsighted and deaf. The Minister at least, should remember May 5!
09.10am - 01.03.2011 Louise Ramsay - Alyth, Scotland Report This
Metis Mum - There are beavers all over Europe in rural rather than wilderness areas: in France, Germany, Denmark, even Holland! I think we can handle them in Scotland. The management in areas of conflict will be well worth it for the ecological gains in general.
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