A family of beavers has been saved and relocated to a Perthshire family farm in the first such move in Scotland’s history.
The beavers, including three kits, were moved to the Argaty Red Kite centre near Doune from prime agricultural land in Tayside, where the Scottish Government’s nature agency NatureScot had issued beaver-killing licences to prevent damage to farmland.
The move, known as a translocation, was carried out by charity Beaver Trust, after NatureScot approved Argaty’s application to spare the animals and have them moved to select ponds on Argaty instead. A further beaver family and an adult beaver pair – also subject to killing licenses – will be moved to Argaty in coming months.
Tom Bowser, owner of Argaty Red Kites, said: “We are beyond thrilled that by becoming Scotland’s first private site to legally release beavers into the wild, we have been able to save these animals. It will be so exciting to see how they enhance biodiversity on our farm.
“Hopefully this moment of wildlife history has helped open the door for more relocations of beavers to areas of Scotland where they are needed and wanted. Prioritising non-lethal management when beavers have impacts on farmland will be a big win for wildlife, farmers, and for our hopes of tackling the nature and climate crises.”
Beaver dams create nature-rich wetlands that benefit many other species including amphibians, invertebrates and fish, and which also improve water quality, reduce downstream flooding, and soak up carbon dioxide.
Eva Bishop, spokesperson for Beaver Trust, said: “We’re delighted to have carried out this groundbreaking translocation. Beavers can be a vital ally in the fight against biodiversity loss, and responsible translocations are an important tool for allowing Scotland to expand its beaver population while sensitively managing impacts on farmland.”
Argaty Red Kites is situated on the Argaty Estate, a working farm owned by the Bowser family since 1916. This area of Central Scotland is where the RSPB and Scottish Natural Heritage have reintroduced the red kite, and the Argaty estate is home to a large number of these exciting birds, and an abundance of rare red squirrels. In partnership with both the RSPB and Scottish Natural Heritage, Argaty Red Kites has provided Central Scotland’s only Red Kite feeding station for the last 20 years, and allows guests to enjoy these exciting birds and their spectacular flying in comfort but without the risk of disturbing what is still a fragile population. It is a founding member of the Northwoods Rewilding Network, which is operated by rewilding charity SCOTLAND: The Big Picture.
Peter Cairns, SCOTLAND: The Big Picture Executive Director, said: “The release of beavers at Argaty is a milestone moment for Scotland’s wildlife. It’s a rewilding win that looks set to pave the way for more beaver translocations – helping Scotland to play ecological catch-up with over 25 other European countries which have successfully reintroduced beavers.”
With thanks to the editing skills of Geoff Moore at The Travel Trunk.
Image and Video Credit: scotlandbigpicture.com
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