An official study of wild Tayside beavers hopes to gather around 30 specimens from a similar number of family groups.
Examples of animals from the River Ericht and Forfar will officially be included in a scientific study on the possible reintroduction of beavers to Scotland.
Tayside Beaver Study Group (TBSG) chairman David Bale said the new introduction of a point of contact for the public would stop the loss of “sample opportunities” that could hinder an objective survey.
The Courier has learned mitigation measures are also being negotiated on the Dean Water near Forfar Loch.
The Courier attended a meeting of the Scottish Wild Beaver Group, at which TBSG member Roisin Campbell Palmer said data from local sites will be included in the package of results.
Mr Bale confirmed the wild data will prove invaluable but “it is proving hard to get the samples back”.
He said: “If people find a beaver which is dead, or if they do shoot a beaver, we ask the people to hand over the carcasses and they can be covered by a licence that a member of SNH staff carries.
“The more we can bring that to people’s attention the better.”
He added: “Now with the officer Helen Dickinson in place, there will be an obvious contact point.
“What the officer is doing is looking at mitigation we are keen on trialling ways to deal with burrowing into flood banks, dealing with dams and so on.”
The Dean Water tributary has seen beavers make their home near the A90.
Unlike the reintroduction of the animal during trials in Argyll, the Angus colony’s antecedents were released without consent. Environment Minister Paul Wheelhouse decided last year to allow beavers in Tayside to remain in the wild.
The TBSG, presently headed by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), was set up to study the Tayside population without reducing their number.
Mr Bale added: “In Tayside, the beavers that are here seem to have escaped or been let out from a collection.
“It appears they have been there since at least 2006 and anecdotally perhaps even longer.
“When this information came out we said to the Scottish Government, ‘these beavers are here, as well as the official trial, and you need to be aware of this’.
“The minister decided the beavers in the Tay catchment, including the Earn, would be allowed to remain in place for the time being and we’d add the information in to what he’d consider doing with them, which will be taken in 2015.”
Meanwhile, Angus Council confirmed tree officer Fred Conacher is in discussion over mitigation measures at Forfar Loch Country Park.
It is understood planting of fast-growing trees could be used as a safe food for the Dean Water animals, after a number of trees were gnawed next to the dual carriageway.
The Courier interviews new TBSG officer Helen Dickinson next week.
If you have a question you would like answered email riwatt@thecourier.co.uk.