Yesterday saw the publication of NatureScot’s Beaver Management Report for 2023, and we commend the significant progress that has been made in the last 15 months to work towards delivering Scotland’s Beaver Strategy.
In collaboration with Five Sisters Zoo and under the direction and licensing of NatureScot, Beaver Trust have utilised our expanded holding facilities and the cooperation of land managers to achieve a record translocation of 77 animals. These beavers were carefully trapped from conflict sites, health-screened and translocated to new areas where their activity can provide real environmental benefits. 40 beavers were released into the wild in Scotland, including sites such as Loch Lomond NNR, various locations in the Spey Catchment as part of the Cairngorms Beaver Project, and Knapdale. Meanwhile, 37 were released into projects in England, including the Ealing Beaver Project and the National Trust’s Wallington Estate.
The reduction in the number of beavers subject to lethal control, from 63 in 2022 to just 8 in 2023, is also greatly welcome. We believe it is essential that all stakeholders continue their dedicated efforts to sustain this lower level of lethal control while many of Scotland’s catchments still do not have a beaver presence, highlighting the ongoing need for prioritisation of translocation efforts.
While Beaver Trust welcomes the development of a comprehensive plan for identifying new release sites, we emphasise the importance of prioritising this initiative to ensure there are adequate sites available for beavers caught in conflict to be translocated to. This prioritisation is crucial to minimising preventable lethal control. Beaver Trust is already proactively working to identify potential suitable release sites and is keen to contribute to this initiative, as it is vital for expanding the beaver presence across Scotland.
In conclusion, we congratulate all stakeholders involved on the significant progress made in 2023, and we remain committed to engaging in constructive dialogue and collaborative efforts to deliver the vision set out in Scotland’s National Beaver Strategy.
