Beaver Release Approval for Cairngorms National Park. NatureScot has granted approval for a licence application submitted by the Cairngorms National Park Authority, permitting the release of up to six beaver families at designated sites in the upper River Spey catchment.
Alan McDonnell, Head of Nature Restoration at Trees for Life, expressed enthusiasm for the official return of beavers to the Cairngorms after an absence of four centuries. He emphasized the positive impact of relocating these habitat-creating and flood-preventing animals across Scotland, offering hope for addressing biodiversity, climate, and nature emergencies.
McDonnell highlighted the importance of moving beavers rather than resorting to shooting, emphasizing that this approach allows the keystone species to contribute to boosting biodiversity, addressing climate breakdown, and creating opportunities for wildlife tourism. He urged other public agencies in Scotland to follow this rewilding initiative and welcome beavers back to suitable habitats on their land.
Alan McDonnell, Trees for Life’s Head of Nature Restoration, said: “The official return of beavers to the Cairngorms after four long centuries is wonderful news for Scotland’s biodiversity. Allowing these habitat-creating, flood-preventing animals to be relocated across Scotland – to where they are needed, and with the right support in place for farmers – offers hope for tackling the nature and climate emergencies.
“By moving rather than shooting beavers, we can help this keystone species get to work boosting biodiversity, tackling climate breakdown, and creating wildlife tourism opportunities.
“Scotland is one of the world’s most nature-depleted countries, so we hope the Scottish Government’s major public agencies will follow this inspiring rewilding lead and welcome beavers back to suitable habitat on their own land as soon as possible.”
Beavers play a crucial role in creating wetlands that benefit various wildlife, absorbing carbon dioxide, purifying water, and reducing flooding. Trees for Life has long advocated for the protection of beavers in Scotland and supports their relocation to suitable habitats rather than culling when they pose challenges to agricultural land.
As a protected native species, beavers were first reintroduced to Scotland in 2009.
Photo by Liron Malyanker: https://www.pexels.com/photo/beaver-sitting-on-river-bank-in-nature-14247750/