Scottish beavers on the increase
European Beaver numbers have risen markedly across Tayside in the past six years, according to a new Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) survey.
The report estimates that around 430 beavers inhabit over 100 active territories. A similar survey, conducted in 2012, estimated beaver numbers at about 150 individuals in 40 territories across the region.
Nick Halfhide, SNH's Director of Sustainable Growth, said: "By building dams, beavers improve local water quality and help nurture other wildlife, and it's wonderful that people now have a chance to see these fascinating creatures in their natural habitat.
"But in some parts of Scotland, beavers can cause problems, particularly in areas with prime agricultural land. So we are setting up a mitigation scheme – with input from a range of interest groups such as NFU Scotland through the Scottish Beaver Forum – to develop and trial techniques to help farmers deal with any problems they encounter."
European Beaver has shown significant increases across Tayside, Scotland, over the past six years (Sven Začek / commons.wikimedia.org).
SNH provides farmers with free, expert advice, as well as practical, on-the-ground solutions. These include techniques used across Europe, such as deterrent fencing, tree guards, piped dams, culvert and flood bank protection, as well as trialling new methods.
The survey detected 72 beaver lodges, 339 burrows, and 86 dams or recently removed dams. Beavers create lodges by burrowing into banks where they dig several chambers and entrances.
Beavers range from as far north as Dunalastair Water, near Rannoch, and extend westwards to the River Dochart and River Lyon, as well as east to Forfar Loch and south to Loch Earn. Beavers are also spreading beyond Tayside: there are a small number of territories within the Forth catchment from Loch Achray in the Trossachs, parts of River Teith and Devon, to the main stem of Forth River near Stirling.
The Tayside survey was commissioned by SNH and carried out by the University of Exeter. Professor Richard Brazier from the University of Exeter, said: "This survey provides a comprehensive understanding of the current extent of beaver activity across Tayside and neighbouring catchments and expansion in beaver territories since 2012. Our survey data and subsequent analysis provides a wealth of information into how free-living beaver populations expand across, and utilise resources within Scottish catchments. This information has wide ranging value for informing policy and management strategies surrounding beaver reintroduction across Scotland and beyond, maximising our ability to manage the conflicts and maximise the benefits associated with beavers."
