It’s official – beavers are back in Scotland after 500 years, after being hunted to extinction in the 16th century. The largest rodent in Europe has been hunted for its fur and a natural secretion called castoreum, which was used for both perfumes and medicine. Now, the population has seen a significant decline across the continent, but rewilding projects have helped restore it.
Charities Trees for Life and Beaver Trust have received a license to carry out the rewilding of beavers in Scotland, called The Ness Beaver Project, by NatureScot, with the first ones arriving in just a few weeks.
The Ness Beaver Project is set to reintroduce 15 beavers to River Ness over the next three years, in hopes of them making a home here in Scotland. On top of being super cute, beavers should help boost biodiversity and should pose very little risk to the local area.
What is more, the last beaver sightings in Scotland were widely recorded in 1526 and 1527 around Loch Ness. The very first beavers were reintroduced in other areas of Scotland in 2009, with the rewilding project progressing successfully since.
Alan McDonnell, Trees for Life’s head of nature restoration, said: “Beavers are key allies in tackling the interconnected climate and biodiversity crises facing us all, so this successful result brings real hope for the future. Our thanks go to everyone locally who has taken part in the discussions.
“There has been huge interest from communities and local businesses. Our engagement has been locally focused, with the team meeting people on the ground to listen to their views first-hand.”
